By Lucas Daprile
cleveland.com
CLEVELAND, Ohio — A Canton man is facing attempted murder charges after he pointed a gun at a police officer and pulled the trigger, police said.
At about 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Canton police officers responded to the Walmart on Atlantic Boulevard after employees said they caught Shane Newman, 21, and Katerina Jeffrey, 23, shoplifting, according to officers.
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The officer led them to a back room, where police and Walmart employees began questioning the two about the theft allegation. The officer briefly patted Newman down but did not find the gun, body camera footage shows.
“We watched you walk over and put an item in a bag off the shelf,” a Walmart employee said to Newman.
“That’s true,” Newman said.
Several seconds later, Newman reached into his jacket, pulled out a handgun and pointed it at the officer. The gun can be heard clicking after Newman pulled the trigger.
“No, no, no, no,” yelled Jeffrey, who was seated next to Newman.
As police and the Walmart employees tried to wrestle the gun away from Newman, he attempted to rack the gun, body camera footage shows.
Officers were able to wrestle the gun from Newman without any shots being fired.
“He pulled it out, pointed it right at my face and pulled it. The trigger just didn’t go off,” the officer is heard saying later on his body camera.
“He would have got me for sure,” the officer said.
Newman was charged with attempted murder, assault on a peace officer, robbery, aggravated possession of drugs and illegally possessing a weapon after a prior felony conviction.
Jeffrey was charged with complicity to commit robbery.
“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. “Thank you to all of you who regularly pray with me for our officers and our community.”
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