New details on waiter's heroic takedown of gunman trying to kill ex-wife

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8n7YpGFVnDI

A quiet night at a Toledo, Ohio, restaurant turned into a terrifying confrontation when a former attorney allegedly pulled a loaded handgun on his ex-wife as she dined with her family.

Now, newly released surveillance footage shows the moment a waiter and several restaurant patrons rushed toward the armed man and tackled him before he could try to fire again.

The man, 43-year-old Matthew Exton, was recently convicted of attempted murder, two counts of felonious assault and multiple firearm specifications. He was acquitted of one additional felonious-assault charge.

The Gun Failed to Fire

The incident happened April 11, 2025, at Sabira, an Italian restaurant in Toledo that was celebrating its opening night.

According to prosecutors, Exton had been drinking at a neighboring restaurant when he spotted his former wife and her family at Sabira.

Prosecutors said he initially sent a drink to their table and spat toward them as he left. He later returned carrying a handgun and walked directly toward his ex-wife.

When he pointed the weapon at her and attempted to fire, it did not discharge because the safety was still engaged.

A Waiter Runs Toward the Gunman

Surveillance footage captures what happened next.

As Exton appeared to struggle with the firearm, waiter Tracy Cole Jr. rushed toward him and tackled him. Other employees and patrons quickly joined the effort, helping pin Exton to the ground and prevent him from making another attempt.

According to prosecutors, the gun was loaded with one round in the chamber and seven additional rounds in the magazine.

The quick response of the restaurant staff and customers has been widely praised as preventing what could have been a deadly attack.

His Ex-Wife Described the Terrifying Moment

Exton's former wife later told authorities that he pointed the gun directly at her chest and repeatedly pulled the trigger.

She described hearing a series of rapid clicking sounds as the weapon failed to fire.

The incident happened in a crowded restaurant, meaning other diners and employees were also placed in danger during the confrontation.

Exton Gave a Different Account

During his trial, Exton denied intending to kill or hurt his former wife.

He testified that he pointed the gun at her to pressure her into speeding up the sale of their former home following their divorce. He said he wanted her to understand that he was serious about obtaining his share of the proceeds.

Prosecutors argued that his actions — including returning to the restaurant with a loaded firearm and attempting to fire it — demonstrated an intent to kill.

The jury ultimately convicted him of attempted murder and two counts of felonious assault, along with firearm specifications.

Prosecutor Calls Restaurant Staff Heroes

Lucas County Prosecuting Attorney Julia Bates praised the employees and patrons who intervened.

Bates said the restaurant staff could never have been prepared for someone to walk through the door with the apparent intention of carrying out an attack.

She described Exton's actions as an attempted “public execution” of his ex-wife and called the employees and patrons who stepped in heroes.

Facing Up to 25 Years in Prison

Exton, who previously practiced law in Ohio and Michigan, had his law license suspended by the Ohio Supreme Court following the incident.

He is scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 21 and faces up to 25 years in prison.

For the people inside Sabira that night, however, the most important moment came before the verdict — when one waiter saw an armed man threatening a woman and chose to run toward the danger rather than away from it.

That split-second decision, followed by the actions of other employees and diners, stopped a potentially deadly attack before another shot could be fire