A routine shoplifting investigation at a Walmart in Canton, Ohio, escalated into a life-threatening confrontation when a 21-year-old suspect allegedly pulled a firearm on a police officer, according to body-worn camera footage released by authorities. The incident, which unfolded on December 18 inside the Walmart Supercenter, has drawn national attention due to the speed at which the situation deteriorated and the presence of multiple civilians during the confrontation.
The suspect, Shane Newman, now faces a series of serious criminal charges, while questions continue to be raised about public safety, retail crime, and the risks faced by law enforcement officers during seemingly low-level calls.
The bodycam footage, later obtained by NBC News, captures the moments before and after the encounter, providing a detailed account of how a suspected shoplifting case rapidly transformed into a potentially deadly incident. Alongside Newman, 23-year-old Katerina Jeffrey was also detained and later charged in connection with the alleged theft. No shots were fired, but authorities have emphasized that the outcome could have been far more severe had the weapon not been forcibly removed within seconds.
Detention Inside Walmart and Escalation of the Encounter
According to police accounts and video evidence, Shane Newman and Jeffrey were accused of shoplifting and escorted by store staff and police into Walmart’s loss prevention office, a small enclosed space typically used for questioning suspected retail theft suspects. An officer conducted a pat-down search of Newman upon entering the room and asked whether he had anything on him that the officer should be aware of. Newman responded that he only had his phone, and no weapon was discovered during the initial search.
Once seated on a bench inside the office, Newman and Jeffrey were questioned by an officer who sat across from them. The footage shows a tense but initially controlled interaction. Shane Newman appeared visibly distressed at times, placing his face in his hands and leaning over as the questioning continued. During the exchange, Newman remarked, “I told her not to steal,” to which the officer replied, “You did it, too,” indicating that both individuals were suspected of involvement.
For several minutes, the interaction remained verbal. Jeffrey stayed seated beside Shane Newman, while a Walmart employee stood nearby. The confined space, combined with the presence of store personnel and police officers, created an environment where any sudden movement carried significant risk. Despite this, there was no immediate indication that Newman was armed or preparing for violence.
That changed abruptly when Shane Newman turned his body away from the officer and appeared to reach into a bag. In a matter of seconds, he produced a firearm, cocked it, and aimed it directly at the officer seated across from him. The bodycam footage captures the sudden shift in tone as the officer and those in the room reacted in shock.
BREAKING:
— 𝐀𝐋𝐏𝐇𝐀 ® (@Alpha7021) December 20, 2025
🇺🇸:UNITED STATES: In Ohio, 21 year old Shane Newman, suspected of stealing a tablet, attempted to shoot a police officer during a search. pic.twitter.com/fNw49mS7wq
Jeffrey began shouting “No! No! No!” as the weapon was drawn, while a nearby Walmart employee yelled and rushed toward Shane Newman. The employee lunged forward and grabbed Newman’s arms, initiating a struggle to dislodge the firearm. As the two grappled, another officer drew his weapon and aimed it at Newman, while commands and shouts filled the room.
The struggle was brief but violent. The Walmart employee managed to knock the gun from Newman’s grip, preventing him from firing. During the chaos, Jeffrey rose from the bench and fled the room, screaming for Shane Newman to stop. Within approximately 20 seconds from the moment Newman reached for the firearm, he was tackled to the ground and restrained. No gunshots were fired, and no officers or civilians were physically injured by gunfire.
Charges Filed and Legal Proceedings Against the Suspects
Following the incident, Shane Newman was taken into custody and later charged with multiple felonies, reflecting the severity of his alleged actions. Court records show that Newman faces charges including attempted murder, felonious assault on a police officer, and robbery. These charges carry significant potential prison sentences under Ohio law, particularly those involving the use of a firearm against law enforcement.
Attempted murder and felonious assault on an officer are among the most serious charges that can be filed in such cases, often resulting in lengthy incarceration if a conviction is secured. Prosecutors are expected to rely heavily on the bodycam footage, eyewitness testimony from officers and Walmart employees, and forensic analysis of the firearm involved.
Katerina Jeffrey, who remained seated during most of the confrontation and did not physically participate in the struggle, was also charged. She faces a charge of complicity to commit robbery, according to court documents. Authorities allege that she played a role in the initial shoplifting incident that led to the detention inside the loss prevention office.
Both Newman and Jeffrey have not yet entered pleas. They are scheduled to return to court on December 23, when further proceedings, including arraignment or pretrial hearings, are expected to take place. At that stage, additional details may emerge regarding the suspects’ criminal histories, the legality of the firearm Shane Newman possessed, and whether any plea negotiations are anticipated.
Legal experts note that cases involving firearms drawn on police officers often move swiftly through the court system due to their seriousness and the public safety implications. The presence of video evidence may also limit the scope of factual disputes, shifting the legal focus toward intent, mental state, and sentencing considerations.
Official Reactions and Broader Implications for Retail and Police Safety
The Canton Police Department described the incident as a stark example of how rapidly routine calls can escalate into life-threatening situations. Police Chief John Gabbard, in a statement to NBC News, emphasized the dangers officers face even during seemingly minor offenses such as shoplifting. He characterized the outcome as fortunate, noting that no lives were lost despite the presence of a loaded firearm in a crowded retail environment.
“This incident is a reminder of the ever-present threat of violence against police officers and the gracious provision of God’s protection,” Gabbard said, underscoring the department’s view that the outcome could have been far worse.
Walmart also issued a statement through its asset protection leadership, highlighting the actions of the employee who intervened during the confrontation. Jessie Carpenter, Walmart Asset Protection Operations Coach, stated that the safety of customers and associates remains the company’s top priority. She praised the employee’s actions in maintaining safety within the store and confirmed that Walmart would continue to cooperate with law enforcement as the investigation proceeds.
The incident has renewed discussion around the risks faced by retail employees, particularly asset protection staff, who often serve as the first point of contact in theft-related incidents. While many shoplifting cases involve nonviolent offenders, this event illustrates how unpredictable such encounters can become, especially when suspects are armed.
Law enforcement professionals have long warned that calls involving theft or trespassing can be deceptively dangerous. Officers typically approach these situations without knowing whether a suspect is carrying a weapon or has a history of violence. In this case, despite an initial pat-down search, Newman was still able to access a firearm, raising questions about search procedures, concealed weapons, and situational awareness in confined spaces.
The bodycam footage has also sparked public debate over use-of-force decisions and the physical actions taken by officers during the struggle. Video shows an officer kicking and striking Newman while he was being subdued, actions that occurred during an active and chaotic attempt to control an armed suspect. Police departments generally maintain that such force may be justified when an immediate threat to life exists, particularly when a firearm has already been drawn.
As the case proceeds through the legal system, it is likely to remain under close scrutiny from both the public and criminal justice observers. The footage provides a rare, unfiltered look at how quickly a routine retail theft investigation can spiral into a deadly encounter, reinforcing the inherent unpredictability of police work and the high stakes involved in split-second decisions.
The Canton Walmart incident stands as a significant example of the intersection between retail crime, armed suspects, and law enforcement response. With court proceedings still pending, the final legal outcomes for Shane Newman and Katerina Jeffrey remain to be determined, but the events of December 18 have already left a lasting impression on the community and on broader discussions surrounding public safety in everyday spaces.