Canton Walmart incident: Gun drawn at officer during shoplifting arrest; weapon malfunction, no shots fired

An Ohio Walmart in Canton became the scene of a dramatic confrontation on Thursday afternoon when a shoplifter drew a handgun at a responding police officer at point-blank range. The weapon reportedly malfunctioned, and no shots were fired, authorities said as the investigation unfolded.

Police identified the suspects as Shane Newman, 21, and Katarina Jeffrey, 23, who were allegedly attempting to steal items from the Canton store. Walmart security personnel alerted law enforcement as the pair tried to leave with unpaid merchandise. When officers arrived, Newman and Jeffrey were taken to the store’s loss prevention office, where the situation quickly escalated from a routine check into a high-stakes confrontation.

According to body-camera footage and accounts later provided by investigators, the encounter began calmly. A responding officer asked Newman if there was anything he should know about, and Newman reportedly said he only had a cellphone. He then handed over a container of illegal drugs to the officer. The mood shifted as the two suspects sat in the loss-prevention area; Jeffrey asked whether they would go to jail, and Newman reportedly commented that he had told Jeffrey not to steal. After several moments, Newman slowly reached into his backpack and abruptly pulled out a handgun, pointing it toward the officer who stood only a few steps away.

Chaos followed as the store’s security guard lunged at Newman and wrestled the weapon away from him, while the officer drew his own firearm. Jeffrey appeared to flee toward the opposite side of the room as other employees and officers struggled to subdue Newman. By the time the threat was neutralized, no bullets had been fired, though the officer later recounted that Newman had tried to shoot. The deputy said he would have fired his weapon but was concerned about striking a Walmart employee during the confrontation, and he acknowledged that he initially failed to spot the gun during a prior search of Newman.

Newman, authorities said, had an active arrest warrant at the time and was considered armed and dangerous. He faces multiple charges, including attempted murder, felonious assault on a peace officer, robbery, and aggravated possession of drugs. He is being held in Stark County jail on a $1 million bond. Jeffrey was charged with complicity to commit robbery and having weapons under disability for possession of ammunition, with police reporting two 9mm rounds found on her during the investigation.

The incident prompted responses from law enforcement and store leadership. Canton Police Chief John Gabbard said the episode underscores the ever-present threat of violence against officers and the broader community, noting that prayers and support for first responders are essential during such events. Walmart, in a statement to media outlets, said the safety and security of customers and associates is a top priority and that asset protection personnel acted bravely to maintain safety while police investigated.

This case adds to ongoing national conversations about crime, weapon access, and public safety, themes closely watched by policymakers and voters across the United States. While officials continue to investigate the Canton incident and determine all legal ramifications for the individuals involved, authorities emphasized that the immediate priority was ensuring the safety of shoppers and staff and securing the scene for investigation. The Daily Mail reported on the incident, and local authorities are cooperating with investigators as the case proceeds to potential court appearances.