Ohio waiter tackles man convicted of trying to shoot ex-wife in restaurant

Chilling surveillance video shows the moment a waiter tackled a former Ohio attorney who was later convicted of trying to shoot his ex-wife inside a Toledo restaurant.

(NBC)- Chilling surveillance video shows the moment a waiter tackled a former Ohio attorney who was later convicted of trying to shoot his ex-wife inside a Toledo restaurant.

The video shows Matthew Exton approaching his ex-wife as she sat at a table with her parents. Exton pointed a gun at her and prosecutors said he pulled the trigger, but the gun did not fire because the safety was on.

His ex-wife yelled “gun” as waiter Tracy Cole Jr. rushed toward Exton and tackled him from behind.

Cole said he believed his life was in danger when he decided to intervene.

“The only thing that went through my mind was that I’m gonna die,” Cole said.

Cole said he does not consider himself a hero despite praise for his actions.

“It’s hard when I watch the video and I see him pull the trigger,” Cole said. “It’s just hard to see that and know that it 110% could have gone a completely different way.”

The incident happened in April 2025.

A jury last week found Exton guilty of attempted murder and assault charges. Exton, a 43-year-old father, testified that he was desperate for money from the sale of the couple’s home. He denied pulling the trigger. Exton is scheduled to be sentenced later this month.