A Florida jury has convicted Mario Fernandez Saldana in the 2022 ambush murder of Microsoft executive Jared Bridegan. The jury found him guilty of first-degree murder and solicitation to commit a capital felony. Prosecutors said the killing followed a bitter custody dispute involving Jared Bridegan, his ex-wife Shanna Gardner and her husband.
Investigators said Jared Bridegan was shot at close range in Jacksonville Beach in February 2022 after stopping his vehicle to move a tire placed in the middle of a dark road. His 2-year-old daughter was in the back seat during the shooting but was not injured.
Prosecutors alleged that the roadside obstruction was part of a planned attack and that Mario Fernandez Saldana and Shanna Gardner hired Henry Tenon as the gunman. The defendants are being tried separately.
| 1) | Jury reaches verdict in Jacksonville Beach murder case |
| 2) | Roadside ambush followed a custody dispute |
| 3) | Prosecutors described an alleged hiring arrangement |
| 4) | Separate trials were ordered for the defendants |
| 5) | Surveillance evidence featured in the case |
Jury reaches verdict in Jacksonville Beach murder case
The Florida jury returned its verdict on Wednesday in the trial of Mario Fernandez Saldana, who was accused of killing Jared Bridegan. The defendant was convicted of first-degree murder and solicitation to commit a capital felony. The case was heard in Jacksonville, where prosecutors presented evidence about the February 2022 shooting and the events surrounding it.
Roadside ambush followed a custody dispute
According to prosecutors, Jared Bridegan was driving in Jacksonville Beach when he stopped to remove a tire from a dark roadway. Investigators said he was then shot at close range. His young daughter remained in the vehicle and survived the attack without physical injury. Prosecutors argued that the tire had been placed there intentionally to force the victim to stop.
The alleged motive was connected to a contentious custody battle involving Jared Bridegan, his former wife Shanna Gardner and Mario Fernandez Saldana, whom prosecutors identified as her husband. The prosecution presented the killing as a deliberate ambush rather than a random roadside encounter.
Prosecutors described an alleged hiring arrangement
Prosecutors alleged that Mario Fernandez Saldana and Shanna Gardner arranged for Henry Tenon to carry out the shooting. Henry Tenon initially pleaded guilty in the case but later withdrew that plea. The alleged arrangement formed a central part of the prosecution’s explanation for how the attack was organized.
Separate trials were ordered for the defendants
Authorities arrested Mario Fernandez Saldana in March 2023 and Shanna Gardner in August of the same year. Both were indicted on the same charges in connection with Jared Bridegan‘s death. A judge ruled that they would be tried separately and before different juries, resulting in separate proceedings for the two defendants.
Surveillance evidence featured in the case
During the trial, jurors were shown surveillance material that included a black Volkswagen Atlas near the scene, a figure prosecutors identified as the suspect leaving the area and audio recordings of gunshots captured by nearby cameras. Investigators used the footage and audio to help establish what happened after Jared Bridegan stopped his vehicle.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Mario Fernandez Saldana was convicted of first-degree murder and solicitation to commit a capital felony. |
| 2 | Jared Bridegan was killed after stopping on a dark Jacksonville Beach road in February 2022. |
| 3 | Prosecutors alleged the attack was linked to a custody dispute and involved Henry Tenon. |
Summary
The conviction marks a major development in the prosecution of the planned roadside ambush that killed Jared Bridegan. The jury accepted prosecutors’ account that Mario Fernandez Saldana was responsible for the murder and solicitation charge. The related case involving Shanna Gardner remains separate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was convicted in the case?
Mario Fernandez Saldana was convicted by a Florida jury.
What charges did the jury find him guilty of?
The jury found Mario Fernandez Saldana guilty of first-degree murder and solicitation to commit a capital felony.
What happened to Jared Bridegan?
Investigators said Jared Bridegan was shot at close range in Jacksonville Beach in February 2022 after stopping to move a tire from the road.
Who else was charged?
Shanna Gardner and Henry Tenon were also linked to the prosecution. Shanna Gardner is being tried separately, while Henry Tenon initially pleaded guilty before withdrawing that plea.
