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Police body-camera footage released by Canton, Ohio, authorities shows the tense moment a suspected shoplifter allegedly pulled a handgun on an off-duty police officer inside a Walmart, only to be stopped by a quick-acting store employee.
The incident occurred Thursday when 21-year-old Shane C.L. Newman and a female companion were detained in a back office by an off-duty Canton police officer working a security detail at the store.
“This incident is a reminder of the ever-present threat of violence against police officers and the gracious provision of God’s protection,” Canton Police Chief John Gabbard said in a statement, via ABC News.
“Thank you to all who regularly pray with me for our officers and our community.”
Security video shows Newman and the woman being stopped near the front of the store by employees and escorted to the loss prevention office.
Inside, the officer conducted a partial pat-down of Newman, asking, “Nothing on you that's going to poke me or stab me?” before instructing both suspects to sit on a metal bench.
While the officer radioed their identities, Newman allegedly reached into a pouch the officer had missed during the search, producing a handgun and pointing it at the officer.
The gun did not fire, per KCBD.
The footage shows a Walmart loss prevention employee lunging at Newman, tackling him before he could pull the trigger.
After a brief struggle, the officer handcuffed Newman and called for backup.
In the video, the officer tells a responding sergeant, “He pulls out a gun and points it at my head and pulls the trigger. It doesn’t go off. I draw. He ends up giving up.”
The officer noted he had missed a pouch during the pat-down and explained, “I was going to release them, that was the thing, like it was just going to be a summons.”
Newman was arrested and faces charges including attempt to commit murder, felonious assault of a peace officer, and possession of drugs.
The 23-year-old woman was also taken into custody and charged with complicity to commit robbery.
