Competency hearing for Stark County man indicted for attempted murder of police officer at Walmart

STARK COUNTY, Ohio (WOIO) - A Plain Township man accused of stealing several items from a Walmart shopping center and trying to shoot a Canton police officer in the head, has a competency hearing Wednesday.

In March, Shane Newman pled not guilty by reason of insanity to the charges of attempted murder, felonious assault, robbery, having weapons while under disability, carrying concealed weapons, aggravated possession of drugs, possession of drugs, and obstructing official business.

Newman underwent testing by the Psycho-Diagnostic Clinic to determine his competency and a hearing is now scheduled for June 11.

Around 1:45 p.m. on Dec. 18, 2025, a Canton police officer responded to the Walmart on Atlantic Boulevard NE for suspected shoplifting.

The officer was inside the loss prevention office with Newman and Katerina Jeffrey when police said Newman pulled out a handgun.

According to police, Newman attempted to shoot the officer, but the gun did not fire.

A Walmart asset protection associate jumped onto Newman before he could try to shoot the gun again.

Newman was taken to the floor by the officer and arrested.

In the body camera video, the officer explains he didn’t shoot Newman, because he didn’t want to hit the Walmart employee that was on top of him.

Due to a previous felony conviction, Newman was not allowed to own or have a firearm, court records show.

After Newman’s arrest, officers recovered 50 blue pills identified as Molly, according to the records.

Jeffrey, of Canton, was not indicted on a felony charge.

On Feb. 18, Jeffrey pleaded no contest to misdemeanor theft in Canton Municipal Court.

Jeffrey was sentenced to 180 days in jail, but with time served and time suspended, she had a total of 22 days left.