Ohio waiter subdues armed ex-husband during restaurant incident
A Toledo restaurant employee tackled a man who pointed a handgun at his ex-wife, preventing a shooting. The suspect, former lawyer Matthew Exton, was later convicted of attempted murder and assault.
A waiter at the Sabira restaurant in Toledo intervened when Matthew Exton, a 43-year-old former criminal-defense attorney, drew a handgun and aimed it at his ex-wife during a dining occasion on April 11, 2025. According to local television station WTOL, Exton appeared to pull the trigger, but the weapon did not fire because the safety was engaged. He then attempted to manipulate the gun again while onlookers shouted warnings.
The waiter, identified as Tracy Cole Jr., rushed the suspect and wrestled him to the ground, preventing further escalation. Lucas County Prosecutor Julia Bates told WTOL that the incident was unexpected and that Exton entered the restaurant with the intent to kill his ex-wife.
Exton, whose law license had been suspended earlier in the year, was later found guilty of attempted murder and two counts of felonious assault. Prosecutors said he had been drinking at a nearby bar before spotting his ex-wife at the restaurant’s opening night, initially sending her a drink and then spitting at her before returning with the firearm. The gun was reported to have one round in the chamber and seven in the magazine. During the trial, Exton claimed he did not intend to fire the weapon and said he was trying to pressure his ex-wife regarding the sale of their former home.