A Stark County grand jury has indicted Shane Newman, 21, on charges including attempted murder and felonious assault, after an incident at a Canton Walmart where he allegedly attempted to shoot a police officer. According to FOX 8, the encounter took place in December last year when Newman was detained on suspicion of shoplifting. While inside the loss prevention office, he reportedly produced a gun and tried to fire it at an officer, which fortunately did not discharge.
Further details revealed by Cleveland 19 include that the incident occurred on Dec. 18, 2025, and involved not just Newman but also Katerina Jeffrey, 23. Reportedly, Newman's gun failed to fire, and with the intervention of a Walmart asset protection associate, the situation was defused without physical harm. Body camera footage showed the critical moment where the officer refrained from using his own weapon to avoid injury to the Walmart employee attempting to subdue Newman.
Alongside the primary charges, Newman is facing counts for robbery, having weapons under disability, carrying concealed weapons, aggravated possession of drugs, possession of drugs, and obstructing official business. As stated by WKYC, he remains in Stark County Jail on a $1 million dollar bond, with his arraignment set for Feb. 20.
Previous convictions have surfaced amidst the investigation, with court records showing that Newman had a felony conviction, which prohibits him from firearm ownership. Found after the arrest, officers found 50 blue pills identified as Molly. Jeffrey, who was present at the scene, has been charged with one count of misdemeanor theft, and her case is proceeding separately at Canton Municipal Court.
In response to the incident, Canton Police Chief John Gabbard emphasized the peril facing officers, stating, "This incident is a reminder of the ever-present threat of violence against police officers and the gracious provision of God's protection. Thank you to all of you who regularly pray with me for our officers and our community," as relayed by WKYC. Newman's history with law enforcement includes a notably short prison term served on drug charges and a tangle with a domestic violence charge, chiseling a portrait of a troubled past leading to the current allegations.
