THIS is the shocking moment a bungling lawyer tries to shoot his ex-wife in a restaurant but forgets to take the safety off.

Dramatic CCTV footage shows Matthew Exton storm into the Ohio eatery and aim a gun at his ex before a heroic waiter tackles him from behind.

Shocking footage shows Matthew Exton try to shoot his ex-wife in an Ohio restaurant

Exton’s gun failed to go off after he left the safety catch on

A heroic waiter lunges at the attacker and tackles him from behind

Brave patrons then subdue Exton before the cops arrive

The restaurant suddenly erupts as patrons and staff dive on the would-be killer.

Exton, 43, was found convicted of attempted murder, two counts of felonious assault and multiple firearm charges and will be sentenced on September 21.

A jury found him not guilty on one remaining count of felonious assault.

The former lawyer had been drinking at a bar in Toledo, Ohio, on April 11, 2025, before spotting his ex-wife and her family eating at a nearby restaurant, according to prosecutor Julia R. Bates.

Another terrifying angle shows the would-be killer storm towards the table

The former lawyer has since been charged with attempted murder

Exton entered the eatery, ordered a drink at the bar to be sent to their table and spat towards them as he walked out.

He later stormed in with a gun, charged at their table and attempted to shoot his ex-wife.

Fortunately, the firearm did not go off as the bungling assassin left the safety on.

A brave waiter tackled Exton to the floor before he could try again.

Exton appeared to try again before the brave waiter intervened

Cops gathered outside the Sabira restaurant where the attempted killing took place

The gun had one round in the chamber and seven more in the magazine, according to prosecutors.

Bates said: “Nothing in their training and soft openings at the restaurant could have prepared the staff for what walked through that door.

“The defendant did not come with the intention of having a meal.

“He came with anger in him and with the intention to commit a public execution of his ex-wife at the restaurant that day.”

She praised the employees and patrons who stepped in to stop Exton, calling them heroes.

Exton, who had law offices in Sylvania and Traverse City, had his licence suspended in May 2025 following the attempted killing.

He claimed that he did not intend to pull the trigger, and instead pointed the gun at his ex-wife in an attempt to pressure her into speeding up the sale of their former home.

Source: https://www.the-sun.com/news/16972222/bungling-ohio-lawyer-attempted-wife-murder/