Topline: A former prosecutor faces up to 25 years in prison after a restaurant attack in which an engaged gun safety and an intervening waiter prevented a shooting.
Published: September 11, 2026 7:04 am ET
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TOLEDO, OH — A former Michigan prosecutor and Traverse City attorney has been convicted of attempting to murder his ex-wife at a Toledo restaurant, where his gun failed to fire with its safety engaged and a waiter tackled him.
A Lucas County Common Pleas Court jury found Matthew Exton, 43, guilty on Sept. 4 of attempted murder and two of three felonious-assault counts, according to Boston 25 News, citing The Toledo Blade and WTOL. Two firearm specifications were attached to each of the three counts on which he was convicted. Judge Gary Cook is scheduled to sentence him Sept. 21.
The attack happened April 11, 2025, at Sabira restaurant during an opening celebration. Lucas County Prosecutor Julia Bates said Exton had ordered a drink at Souk, a neighboring downtown restaurant, before noticing his ex-wife and her family at Sabira.
Prosecutors said Exton ordered a drink at Sabira and sent it to their table, then spat at the table and left. He returned minutes later carrying a gun and approached the family.
Restaurant surveillance footage introduced at trial showed Exton trying to fire the weapon, but the engaged safety prevented it from discharging, according to the reporting. Waiter Tracy Cole Jr. wrestled him to the ground, and other employees and patrons helped restrain him, 9&10 News reported. Prosecutors credited the staff and customers who intervened.
Bates said after the verdict that Exton had entered the restaurant intending to kill his ex-wife publicly, not to have a meal.
Exton admitted during his testimony that he pointed the gun at his ex-wife but denied trying to pull the trigger. He maintained that he wanted her to speed up the sale of their former Traverse City home so he could obtain his share of the proceeds.
He was not in the courtroom when the jury delivered its verdict. Cook had removed him during closing arguments for disruptive behavior earlier that day, and Exton watched and listened to the proceedings through a video feed in a courthouse holding cell, Boston 25 reported.
Exton previously worked as Kalkaska County’s chief assistant prosecutor for roughly six weeks, ending Feb. 21, 2024. Citing The Blade, both outlets reported that his tenure ended the day after he displayed his county badge and identification during a dispute with employees at a Cabela’s store in Dundee over whether he could purchase a handgun there.
An Ohio native and University of Toledo College of Law graduate, Exton also practiced divorce, separation and criminal-defense law in Sylvania, northwest of Toledo. His Traverse City law office has since closed, according to 9&10 News.
Public records reviewed by that station showed he was booked into the Lucas County jail at 1:07 a.m. April 12, 2025. At an early court appearance, a judge appointed a public defender after Exton said the Traverse City property was tied up in divorce proceedings and he lacked sufficient other assets to hire an attorney.
Exton faces a reported maximum of 25 years in prison: up to 11 years for attempted murder, eight for the felonious assault involving his ex-wife’s mother and a combined six years for firearm specifications. Sentencing is set for 9 a.m. Sept. 21.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you are not alone. Help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788 to connect with trained advocates 24/7. Support is free, confidential, and available in over 200 languages. You can also visit thehotline.org for more information and resources.
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Former Prosecutor Convicted of Trying to Kill Ex-Wife at Ohio Restaurant
A former prosecutor faces up to 25 years in prison after a restaurant attack in which an engaged gun safety and an intervening waiter prevented a shooting.
By Silvia Torres
Published: September 11, 2026 7:04 am ET
TOLEDO, OH — A former Michigan prosecutor and Traverse City attorney has been convicted of attempting to murder his ex-wife at a Toledo restaurant, where his gun failed to fire with its safety engaged and a waiter tackled him.
A Lucas County Common Pleas Court jury found Matthew Exton, 43, guilty on Sept. 4 of attempted murder and two of three felonious-assault counts, according to Boston 25 News, citing The Toledo Blade and WTOL. Two firearm specifications were attached to each of the three counts on which he was convicted. Judge Gary Cook is scheduled to sentence him Sept. 21.
The attack happened April 11, 2025, at Sabira restaurant during an opening celebration. Lucas County Prosecutor Julia Bates said Exton had ordered a drink at Souk, a neighboring downtown restaurant, before noticing his ex-wife and her family at Sabira.
Prosecutors said Exton ordered a drink at Sabira and sent it to their table, then spat at the table and left. He returned minutes later carrying a gun and approached the family.
Restaurant surveillance footage introduced at trial showed Exton trying to fire the weapon, but the engaged safety prevented it from discharging, according to the reporting. Waiter Tracy Cole Jr. wrestled him to the ground, and other employees and patrons helped restrain him, 9&10 News reported. Prosecutors credited the staff and customers who intervened.
Bates said after the verdict that Exton had entered the restaurant intending to kill his ex-wife publicly, not to have a meal.
Exton admitted during his testimony that he pointed the gun at his ex-wife but denied trying to pull the trigger. He maintained that he wanted her to speed up the sale of their former Traverse City home so he could obtain his share of the proceeds.
He was not in the courtroom when the jury delivered its verdict. Cook had removed him during closing arguments for disruptive behavior earlier that day, and Exton watched and listened to the proceedings through a video feed in a courthouse holding cell, Boston 25 reported.
Exton previously worked as Kalkaska County’s chief assistant prosecutor for roughly six weeks, ending Feb. 21, 2024. Citing The Blade, both outlets reported that his tenure ended the day after he displayed his county badge and identification during a dispute with employees at a Cabela’s store in Dundee over whether he could purchase a handgun there.
An Ohio native and University of Toledo College of Law graduate, Exton also practiced divorce, separation and criminal-defense law in Sylvania, northwest of Toledo. His Traverse City law office has since closed, according to 9&10 News.
Public records reviewed by that station showed he was booked into the Lucas County jail at 1:07 a.m. April 12, 2025. At an early court appearance, a judge appointed a public defender after Exton said the Traverse City property was tied up in divorce proceedings and he lacked sufficient other assets to hire an attorney.
Exton faces a reported maximum of 25 years in prison: up to 11 years for attempted murder, eight for the felonious assault involving his ex-wife’s mother and a combined six years for firearm specifications. Sentencing is set for 9 a.m. Sept. 21.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you are not alone. Help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788 to connect with trained advocates 24/7. Support is free, confidential, and available in over 200 languages. You can also visit thehotline.org for more information and resources.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Former Prosecutor Convicted of Trying to Kill Ex-Wife at Ohio Restaurant
A former prosecutor faces up to 25 years in prison after a restaurant attack in which an engaged gun safety and an intervening waiter prevented a shooting.
By Silvia Torres
Published: September 11, 2026 7:04 am ET
TOLEDO, OH — A former Michigan prosecutor and Traverse City attorney has been convicted of attempting to murder his ex-wife at a Toledo restaurant, where his gun failed to fire with its safety engaged and a waiter tackled him.
A Lucas County Common Pleas Court jury found Matthew Exton, 43, guilty on Sept. 4 of attempted murder and two of three felonious-assault counts, according to Boston 25 News, citing The Toledo Blade and WTOL. Two firearm specifications were attached to each of the three counts on which he was convicted. Judge Gary Cook is scheduled to sentence him Sept. 21.
The attack happened April 11, 2025, at Sabira restaurant during an opening celebration. Lucas County Prosecutor Julia Bates said Exton had ordered a drink at Souk, a neighboring downtown restaurant, before noticing his ex-wife and her family at Sabira.
Prosecutors said Exton ordered a drink at Sabira and sent it to their table, then spat at the table and left. He returned minutes later carrying a gun and approached the family.
Restaurant surveillance footage introduced at trial showed Exton trying to fire the weapon, but the engaged safety prevented it from discharging, according to the reporting. Waiter Tracy Cole Jr. wrestled him to the ground, and other employees and patrons helped restrain him, 9&10 News reported. Prosecutors credited the staff and customers who intervened.
Bates said after the verdict that Exton had entered the restaurant intending to kill his ex-wife publicly, not to have a meal.
Exton admitted during his testimony that he pointed the gun at his ex-wife but denied trying to pull the trigger. He maintained that he wanted her to speed up the sale of their former Traverse City home so he could obtain his share of the proceeds.
He was not in the courtroom when the jury delivered its verdict. Cook had removed him during closing arguments for disruptive behavior earlier that day, and Exton watched and listened to the proceedings through a video feed in a courthouse holding cell, Boston 25 reported.
Exton previously worked as Kalkaska County’s chief assistant prosecutor for roughly six weeks, ending Feb. 21, 2024. Citing The Blade, both outlets reported that his tenure ended the day after he displayed his county badge and identification during a dispute with employees at a Cabela’s store in Dundee over whether he could purchase a handgun there.
An Ohio native and University of Toledo College of Law graduate, Exton also practiced divorce, separation and criminal-defense law in Sylvania, northwest of Toledo. His Traverse City law office has since closed, according to 9&10 News.
Public records reviewed by that station showed he was booked into the Lucas County jail at 1:07 a.m. April 12, 2025. At an early court appearance, a judge appointed a public defender after Exton said the Traverse City property was tied up in divorce proceedings and he lacked sufficient other assets to hire an attorney.
Exton faces a reported maximum of 25 years in prison: up to 11 years for attempted murder, eight for the felonious assault involving his ex-wife’s mother and a combined six years for firearm specifications. Sentencing is set for 9 a.m. Sept. 21.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you are not alone. Help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788 to connect with trained advocates 24/7. Support is free, confidential, and available in over 200 languages. You can also visit thehotline.org for more information and resources.
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