Waiter Tackles Armed Ex-Husband During Toledo Restaurant Opening

On April 11, 2025, former attorney Matthew Exton entered Sabira, an Italian restaurant in downtown Toledo, during its opening night. Exton approached a table where his ex-wife, Kayda Valone, and her family were seated, ordered a drink to be delivered, then spat toward the group before drawing a handgun. Surveillance footage shows Exton fumbling with the weapon’s safety; the gun contained one round in the chamber and seven additional rounds in the magazine. As he attempted to fire, the safety prevented discharge. A waiter, Tracy Cole Jr., and several patrons rushed the gunman, pinning him to the floor and preventing further action.

Daily Wire

A Lucas County jury convicted Exton of attempted murder, two counts of felonious assault, and multiple firearm specifications, while acquitting him of a third assault charge. The convictions carry a potential sentence of up to 25 years in prison. Exton is scheduled to be sentenced on September 21, 2025.

The Independent

Lucas County Prosecutor Julia Bates described the incident as an “isolated domestic incident” and praised the rapid response of restaurant staff, patrons, and the Toledo Police Department. The restaurant issued a statement expressing gratitude for the “swift and courageous actions” of its team and customers. Additionally, the Ohio Supreme Court suspended Exton’s law license in May 2025 following the event.

Daily Wire

• “Nothing in their training and soft openings at restaurants could have prepared the staff for what walked through the door,” — County Prosecutor Julia Bates

The Independent

The episode highlights the potential for domestic-violence disputes to erupt in public settings and underscores the role of bystanders in averting greater harm. It also illustrates how courtroom disruptions—Exton was removed from the trial for repeated interruptions—can accompany high-profile criminal cases. The forthcoming sentencing will determine the length of incarceration for a former attorney convicted of a violent domestic assault.

The Independent