JACKSONVILLE BEACH — Mario Fernandez Saldana was convicted of first-degree murder and solicitation of murder on August 27, 2026. The jury deliberated for nearly four hours before reaching the verdict.

The conviction stems from the February 16, 2022, killing of Jared Bridegan in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. Prosecutors alleged the killing was a murder-for-hire scheme involving Bridegan's ex-wife, Shanna Gardner, and her husband, Mario Fernandez Saldana. Under Florida statutes, Saldana faces an automatic sentence of life in prison for the convictions.

Bridegan had dropped off his older twins at his ex-wife's house prior to the incident. His 2-year-old daughter, Bexley, was in a car seat in the vehicle during the shooting.

Jacksonville Beach Police Chief Gene Paul Smith described the setup in a press conference. "The tire was purposely placed there to make him stop, which he did. Tragically he began to exit his vehicle to move the tire and he was gunned down in cold blood," Smith said.

Henry Tenon is accused of being the gunman who shot Bridegan. Tenon was a former tenant at a rental property owned by Mario Fernandez Saldana. Forensic reports identified Tenon's DNA on the rim of the tire placed on the road.

Jurors were shown three checks totaling $10,000 written to Tenon after the homicide. The checks were marked as payments for handyman work and a business idea. One of the checks included the note "good luck!!"

Tenon initially pleaded guilty and agreed to testify against Fernandez Saldana but later withdrew his plea. He is scheduled to stand trial in March 2027.

The prosecution argued the killing was a premeditated execution driven by custody disputes. Assistant State Attorney Christina Stifler outlined the motive in court filings. "They wanted a majority of the decision making. They wanted more custody, even 60-40," Stifler said.

Stifler characterized the planning as deliberate and calculated. "He was unarmed, unaware, exposed, vulnerable. He couldn’t have known, on that cold asphalt in February of 2022, the architects of his murder had been making preparations for his death for months," she said.

Kirsten Bridegan, the victim's widow, provided context on the family dynamics. She described the post-divorce relationship between her husband and Gardner as having absolutely no trust. "The post-divorce relationship between my husband and Gardner was pretty terrible. There was absolutely no trust," Kirsten Bridegan said.

Jared Bridegan was married to Kirsten Bridegan at the time of his death. The couple had two children together. Bridegan also had twin children, Abby and Liam, with his ex-wife Gardner. Bridegan was previously employed as chief technology officer at Clean Simple Eats.

Gardner is charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, solicitation to commit murder, and child abuse. She has pleaded not guilty to the charges against her. Gardner was arrested in Washington in August 2023 after moving there following the killing.

Gardner is the daughter of the co-founder of Stampin' Up!, an arts-and-crafts company based in Utah. Court testimony indicates that Mario Fernandez Saldana and Gardner are estranged. Jury selection for Gardner's trial is set to begin on August 31, 2026.

Kirsten Bridegan founded the Bridegan Foundation in 2022. The organization aims to make children's experiences at police stations less traumatic.

Timeline

In January 2022, Kirsten Bridegan founded the Bridegan Foundation. On February 16, 2022, Jared Bridegan was shot and killed on Sanctuary Boulevard South in Jacksonville Beach when he stopped his Volkswagen Atlas to remove a tire placed in the road. The shooting occurred on Sanctuary Boulevard in Jacksonville Beach on that same date.

Bridegan was shot twice after stopping his vehicle to remove the tire.

What's New

Later reporting confirmed that Jared Bridegan was shot and killed on Sanctuary Boulevard South in Jacksonville Beach on February 16, 2022, when he stopped his Volkswagen Atlas to remove a tire placed in the road. Additional details emerged regarding the motives, with statements indicating, "They wanted a majority of the decision making. They wanted more custody, even 60-40." Further context was provided: "It doesn’t matter if they were completely right about the situation or completely wrong. What matters is how they fixed it. They fixed it by executing a man when they had other alternatives available to them. That’s why we’re here."

Jacksonville Beach Police Chief Gene Paul Smith added, "The tire was purposely placed there to make him stop, which he did. Tragically he began to exit his vehicle to move the tire and he was gunned down in cold blood." Records show Jared Bridegan had twin children, Abby and Liam, with his ex-wife Gardner.

Mario Fernandez Saldana faces an automatic sentence of life in prison.

Why It Matters

The conviction of Mario Fernandez Saldana represents a step in the prosecution of a complex murder-for-hire case involving multiple defendants and cross-state jurisdiction. The case shows the severe consequences of domestic disputes escalating into lethal violence, with prosecutors alleging a premeditated scheme driven by custody battles. The involvement of forensic evidence, such as DNA on a tire and financial records including checks with notes, reflects the investigative methods used to link the conspirators to the crime.

The outcome affects the remaining defendants, with Gardner facing trial starting in August 2026 and Tenon scheduled for trial in March 2027. The case also draws attention to the impact on the victim's family, including the establishment of the Bridegan Foundation to support children in traumatic situations. The automatic life sentence for Saldana reflects the gravity of the charges and the statutory penalties for first-degree murder in Florida.