Former Ohio attorney Matthew Exton has been convicted of attempted murder after prosecutors said he tried to shoot his ex-wife at point-blank range inside a crowded Toledo restaurant. The attack was stopped when the loaded handgun failed to fire because its safety was still engaged, giving a waiter time to tackle Exton before he could try again.
The dramatic incident, which happened in April 2025, was captured on surveillance footage and has resurfaced after Exton's conviction in September 2026. The case has drawn attention not only because of the attempted shooting, but also because of the split-second intervention by restaurant worker Tracy Cole Jr., who prosecutors credited with helping prevent a potentially fatal attack.
