Toledo Woman Testifies Ex-Husband Pulled Trigger Repeatedly as She Sat 'Feet Away'

A Toledo woman testified that her former husband pointed a loaded handgun at her face and repeatedly pulled the trigger as she sat just feet away, but the weapon failed to fire because its safety was still engaged. Matthew Exton, 43, has since been convicted of attempted murder over the April 2025 restaurant attack.

The attempted-murder conviction came alongside two felonious assault convictions and firearm specifications. Exton was acquitted of one other felonious assault charge, and his sentencing is scheduled for 21 September. He could face up to 25 years in prison across the convictions.

Ex-Husband Returned to Restaurant With Loaded Gun

The attack happened on 11 April 2025 at Sabira restaurant in downtown Toledo, where Kayda Valone was dining with her family.

Prosecutors said Exton had been drinking at a nearby bar when he spotted his former wife. He entered the restaurant, sent a drink to her table and spat towards the group before leaving.

Exton later returned carrying a loaded handgun and approached Valone's table. The weapon had one round in the chamber and seven more in its magazine.

Valone Testified Exton Pulled Trigger Repeatedly

Valone testified that Exton pointed the handgun directly at her face and repeatedly pulled the trigger as she sat just feet away. She heard rapid clicking sounds, but the weapon did not fire.

Valone said she started recording on her phone and repeatedly shouted 'Gun!' because she believed she was going to die and did not want anyone else hurt.

The weapon failed to fire because its safety was still engaged. Exton then brought the handgun closer and appeared to manipulate the safety in an attempt to fire again. Before he could make another attempt, waiter Tracy Cole Jr. tackled him from behind. Cole wrestled the gun away before Exton could fire.

Other restaurant staff and patrons helped restrain Exton while the weapon was secured. The confrontation was captured on surveillance footage and later became evidence in the criminal case.

Matthew Exton Convicted of Attempted Murder

The jury convicted Exton of attempted murder, two counts of felonious assault and the associated firearm specifications, while acquitting him of one remaining felonious assault charge.

The verdict followed a trial in which jurors heard Valone's account of the confrontation and Exton's explanation of why he brought the gun to the restaurant.

The Ohio Supreme Court imposed an interim remedial suspension on his law licence on 6 May 2025. Exton is scheduled to be sentenced on 21 September.

Exton Denied Intending To Kill Valone

Exton denied intending to kill Valone and offered his explanation during his trial testimony.

'I wanted her to know that I was serious about her following the court order to give the house proceeds to me as soon as possible, cause I needed it. I needed it. I was hurt.'

Exton maintained that he did not intend to shoot Valone and denied trying to pull the trigger. He said his purpose was to pressure her over proceeds from the sale of their house.

Prosecutors argued that pointing a loaded handgun at his former wife and repeatedly pulling the trigger demonstrated an intent to kill.