Man Attempts to Shoot Ex-Wife in Ohio Restaurant, Stopped by Gun Safety and Brave Waiter

A man tries to shoot his ex-wife in a Toledo restaurant but is stopped by the gun's safety and a courageous waiter. Full details here.

Editorial Desk

September 9, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Toledo, United States — A former attorney was found guilty of attempted murder after prosecutors claimed he tried to shoot his ex-wife inside a Toledo restaurant.

Surveillance footage captured the moment a waiter intervened as the man, Matthew Exton, attempted to fire a handgun at his ex-wife during a celebration at Sabira, an Italian eatery in downtown Toledo on April 11, 2025.

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A Lucas County jury convicted Exton of attempted murder, two counts of felonious assault, and multiple firearm charges. He was acquitted of a third charge. The incident occurred after he had been drinking at a nearby bar and saw his ex-wife and her family at the restaurant. He later returned with a loaded gun, but it failed to fire because the safety was engaged. A waiter and other customers tackled him before he could try again.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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