# He pulled the trigger. The safety was on.

> A Toledo restaurant, a former attorney, and a gun that failed at point-blank range.
- Title: He pulled the trigger. The safety was on. · Fox News
- Summary: A Toledo restaurant, a former attorney, and a gun that failed at point-blank range. Kada Malone is alive because the safety was engaged and a waiter moved…
- Keywords: true crime, domestic violence, ohio, attempted murder, trial, news, politics, pulled, trigger, safety, Fox News
- Source: Fox News — https://foxnews.com/us/ohio-man-convicted-trying-shoot-ex-wife-point-blank-range-inside-restaurant-chilling-video
- Author: James Cirrone
- Published: 2026-09-12T00:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: true crime, domestic violence, ohio, attempted murder, trial, news, politics
## A drink, then a gun
On April 11, 2025, Matthew Exton spotted his ex-wife dining with her parents at a Toledo restaurant. He walked in, ordered a drink for their table, spat toward them and left.
## Point-blank, in the open
Surveillance video shows Exton coming back with a handgun and shoving it against Kada Malone's head as she threw her hands up in front of her face.
## The safety saved her
He pulled the trigger and nothing happened. Prosecutors said the safety was still on, with a round in the chamber and seven more in the magazine.
## A waiter tackled him
Before Exton could fire again, a waiter took him down from behind. Other staff and diners joined in.

> The employees and patrons who stepped in to stop the defendant that day are heroes.
## Guilty on every count
On Sept. 4 a jury convicted the 43-year-old former lawyer and local prosecutor of attempted murder, two counts of felonious assault for Malone's parents, and two firearm specifications.

> He came with anger in him and with the intention to commit a public execution of his ex-wife.
## Screaming Johnny Cash
Prosecutors cited a voicemail quoting "Sooner or later God will cut you down." Exton screamed the lyrics as officers removed him, and mimed a gun at a prosecutor with his fingers.

> Sooner or later God will cut you down
## Key takeaway

Kada Malone is alive because the safety was engaged and a waiter moved fast, not because her ex-husband changed his mind.