Matthew Exton, a former Ohio attorney, has been convicted of attempted murder after prosecutors said he entered a Toledo restaurant carrying a loaded handgun and fired at his ex-wife, only for the weapon’s safety to remain engaged.
A Lucas County jury found Exton, 43, guilty on Sept. 4, 2026, of attempted murder and two counts of felonious assault. Each of the three convictions carries two firearm specifications, according to the Lucas County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
The case dates back to April 11, 2025, when Exton was at Souk restaurant in Toledo. After ordering a drink at the bar, he left the establishment and noticed his former wife and members of her family at the neighboring Sabira restaurant, which was hosting its opening night.
Exton then entered Sabira and ordered another drink from the bar, asking that it be taken to his ex-wife’s table. He subsequently left the restaurant, but prosecutors said he spat in the direction of the table as he walked out.
He later returned carrying a firearm.
According to prosecutors, Exton walked directly toward the table where his ex-wife was seated, raised the gun and attempted to fire. The weapon did not discharge because its safety was still engaged.
Before Exton could make another attempt, a waiter intervened and tackled him, bringing the confrontation to an end.
The Lucas County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office said the firearm contained one round in the chamber and seven additional rounds in the magazine, underscoring the seriousness of the incident and the potential consequences had the gun been able to fire.
Exton was also facing another felonious assault charge in connection with the case. The jury found him not guilty of that charge.
His conviction now leaves sentencing as the next stage of the case. Exton is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 21, 2026, at 9 a.m. in Courtroom 1 of the Lucas County Courthouse.
The case has drawn attention because the confrontation unfolded in a public restaurant and was interrupted by a waiter before Exton could make a second attempt to fire the weapon. What began with Exton ordering drinks ended with a jury finding him guilty of attempting to kill his former wife and assaulting others with a firearm.
Waiter at an Ohio restaurant tackles a man after he tried to shoot his ex-wife in newly released footage.
43-year-old Matthew Exton, of Toledo, Ohio, has been found guilty of attempted murder.
Exton had been drinking when he saw his ex-wife and her family celebrating at a… pic.twitter.com/ze6wLpn2LG
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) September 9, 2026
