In a chilling incident last week, an Ohio man’s attempt to escalate a shoplifting incident into something far more dangerous was thwarted by quick thinking and a stroke of luck. While being detained at a Walmart for alleged theft, Shane Newman, 21, pulled a firearm and aimed it directly at a police officer’s head. However, fate intervened as the weapon malfunctioned, failing to discharge.

The intense moments were captured on a body camera worn by the officer involved. The footage reveals Newman, along with Katerina Jeffrey, 23, seated in the store’s loss prevention office. Suddenly, Newman twisted around, revealing a concealed gun, and pointed it at the officer, attempting to fire. As the officer scrambled to safety, a vigilant Walmart employee charged forward, courageously knocking the gun from Newman’s grasp and grappling with him.

The officer, assessing the chaotic scene, refrained from using his firearm, concerned about potentially hitting the Walmart worker engaged with the suspect. This split-second decision likely prevented further tragedy.

Jessie Carpenter, Walmart’s Asset Protection Operations Coach, expressed gratitude and relief following the incident. “The safety and security of our customers and associates is always a top priority,” Carpenter stated, as reported by WOIO. “We’re proud of the brave action our asset protection associate took to maintain the safety of everyone in our store. We’ll continue to work with police as they investigate.”

“The safety and security of our customers and associates is always a top priority,” said Walmart Asset Protection Operations Coach Jessie Carpenter, WOIO reported. “We’re proud of the brave action our asset protection associate took to maintain the safety of everyone in our store. We’ll continue to work with police as they investigate.”

Interestingly, the officer patted Newman down minutes before he pulled the gun, somehow missing the weapon, as seen on the video.

Newman has been charged with attempted murder, felonious assault on a police officer, robbery, drug possession, and felon having a weapon. Jeffrey was charged with complicity to commit robbery.

Newman and Jeffrey appeared in Canton Municipal Court on Friday, when a judge gave Newman a $1 million bond and Jeffrey a bond of $500,000. They are due in court again on Tuesday.