An Ohio man has been convicted of attempted murder after trying to shoot his ex-wife at a Toledo restaurant in an incident captured on surveillance video.
On April 11, 2025, Matthew Exton, 43, a former attorney, entered Sabira restaurant in Toledo, Ohio, where he saw his ex-wife, Kada Malone, dining with her parents. According to the Lucas County Prosecutor's Office, Exton ordered a drink for Malone's table, spat in their direction, and then left the establishment.
Surveillance footage showed Exton returning to the restaurant with a handgun. He approached Malone's table, extended the weapon to within inches of her head, and pulled the trigger. The gun did not fire, as its safety was still engaged. A waiter then tackled Exton from behind, preventing him from attempting to shoot Malone again. Authorities reported that there was a round in the chamber and seven additional rounds in the magazine.
Lucas County Prosecuting Attorney Julia R. Bates stated that Exton's intention was not to have a meal but to commit "a public execution of his ex-wife." Bates commended the restaurant employees and patrons who intervened, calling them "heroes."
The jury found Exton guilty on September 4 of attempted murder, two counts of felonious assault against Malone's parents, Jeannie and Charles Malone, and multiple firearm specifications. Exton reportedly had a courtroom outburst during the verdict announcement and had to be removed.
Prosecutors presented evidence of a voicemail Exton left for Malone prior to the incident, which included the Johnny Cash lyric "Sooner or later God will cut you down." This message was cited as an example of Exton's threatening behavior and state of mind. During the prosecution's closing arguments, Exton began screaming lyrics from the same song and made a gun-like gesture with his fingers towards an assistant prosecutor, prompting his removal from the courtroom. The judge instructed the jury to disregard Exton's conduct.
Exton, a former lawyer and local prosecutor, is scheduled to be sentenced on September 21, 2026.