Matthew Exton walked into a packed restaurant, pulled out a loaded gun and aimed it at his ex-wife as she sat with her family. He then pulled the trigger.

The gun, however, didn’t fire. Luckily for Kayda Valone, Exton had left the safety engaged.

Before he could try again, however, an heroic waiter launched himself at the gunman and brought him to the floor. With seemingly little thought as to his own safety.

Lawyer Exton is about to pay for his crime, having just been sentenced to 20 years in prison for the attack at the Sabira restaurant in downtown Toledo, Ohio. His term could be extended by up to four and a half years if he violates prison rules while inside.

Exton, 43, was convicted of attempted murder and two counts of felonious assault.

Incredibly clear CCTV footage of the confrontation was played in court during his sentencing on Monday.

His ex-wife had been dining with her parents during the restaurant’s opening celebrations on April 11, 2025. Prosecutors said that Exton spotted them while drinking at a nearby restaurant.

He went into Sabira and ordered a drink to be sent to their table, then left. When he returned moments later, he was carrying a Colt Defender handgun.

The gun had a round in its chamber and seven more in its magazine, according to prosecutors.

Exton admitted pointing the gun at Kayda but insisted he had never intended to kill her. After dismissing his lawyer, he represented himself at the sentencing hearing.

‘I did not try to kill my ex-wife and I did not try to hurt her or her family, I kept the safety on it was my choice,’ he told the court.

He claimed that he’d only wanted to frighten Kayda into selling their former home quicker so he could get his share of the proceeds.

Judge Gary Cook replayed the CCTV footage as Exton made his case. The judge drew attention to the moment Exton appeared to struggle with the gun after it failed to fire.

‘That is the most chilling moment,’ Judge Cook said. ‘You are flummoxed by why the gun didn’t go off and you are trying to fix the safety.’

Prosecutor Mike Loisel said that Exton had put everyone in the restaurant at grave risk. ‘He nearly perpetrated a mass casualty event in the middle of a crowded restaurant,’ he said during the hearing.

The jury convicted Exton of attempted murder and two felonious assault charges but acquitted him of another felonious assault charge and of attempting to murder Kayda’s father, Charles Valone, who testified that Exton had not pointed the gun at him.

Judge Cook imposed nine years for attempted murder, five years for the felonious assault involving Kayda’s mother, Jeanne Valone, and six years for firearm specifications attached to those offences.

Exton had asked to delay sentencing while he sought a new lawyer, but the judge refused.

Exton also said he wanted to speak to a detective about pursuing charges against the waiter who tackled him. The judge declined to hold up the hearing for that request.

Lucas County Prosecutor Julia Bates praised the staff and diners who helped stop Exton.

‘We hope today’s sentence provides some sense of closure for the victims seated at the table and the Sabira employees and patrons whose lives were put at risk that evening,’ she said.

Exton has indicated that he intends to appeal. His Ohio law licence was reportedly suspended after the attack.

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