Body-camera footage captures the terrifying moment a convicted felon attempts to execute a police officer inside a Walmart loss-prevention room

A violent felon was caught on camera attempting to shoot a police officer in the head while inside a Walmart loss prevention room.

The only reason the officer is alive today is because the criminal’s gun failed to fire and a brave Walmart employee jumped into action.

The incident unfolded around 1:45 p.m. Thursday at a Walmart on Atlantic Boulevard NE in Canton, Ohio, FOX10 reported.

An officer with the Canton Police Department responded to a shoplifting call and escorted 21-year-old Shane Newman and 23-year-old Katerina Jeffrey to the store’s loss prevention office.

That’s when things took a horrifying turn.

Newman aimed the weapon at the officer’s head and pulled the trigger but the gun did not fire.

In a split second that saved a life, a Walmart asset protection associate tackled Newman, preventing him from attempting to fire again. The officer then took Newman to the ground and placed him under arrest.

Body camera footage reveals the officer made a split-second decision not to fire his own weapon, explaining he did not want to risk shooting the Walmart employee who had courageously jumped on top of the suspect.

WATCH:

Court records show Newman is now charged with:

Attempted murder

Felonious assault on a police officer

Robbery

Drug possession

Having a weapon under disability

Police confirmed Newman was legally prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a prior felony conviction.

Officers also recovered 50 blue pills identified as Molly following his arrest.

Jeffrey has been charged with complicity to commit robbery.

Both suspects appeared in court Friday. Newman was hit with a $1 MILLION bond, while Jeffrey received a $500,000 bond. They are expected back in court on December 23.

Canton Police Chief John Gabbard underscored the severity of the incident and the spiritual gravity of what occurred.

“This incident is a reminder of the ever-present threat of violence against police officers and the gracious provision of God’s protection,” Gabbard said. “Thank you to all of you who regularly pray with me for our officers and our community.”

Had that gun fired, this would be a very different story.

[Editor’s note: This article originally appeared on The Gateway Pundit.com]