A security camera captured the moment former lawyer Matthew Exton, 43 years old, entered a restaurant in Toledo, Ohio, armed with a handgun and pointed it directly at his ex-wife, who was eating with her family.
The attack took place on April 11, 2025. According to the prosecutor’s office, Exton had been drinking at a nearby bar and had previously sent a drink to his ex-partner’s table, in addition to spitting in her direction.
Shortly afterward, he returned with the gun. The footage shows him approaching the table and trying to fire, but the gun does not work because its safety was on.
When he tried to operate it to attack again, a waiter lunged at him from behind. Several employees and customers immediately stepped in to restrain him, triggering a chaotic brawl inside the restaurant.
The handgun had one bullet in the chamber and seven more in the magazine. Exton claimed that he did not intend to kill his ex-wife, but rather to pressure her to speed up the sale of a home they shared. Prosecutors argued that he had gone to the location intending to carry out a planned attack.
Exton was found guilty of attempted murder, two counts of aggravated assault, and several weapons-related offenses. He also temporarily lost his license to practice law. His sentencing is scheduled for September 21.
Here is the video: