Murder Conviction in Florida Shooting of Microsoft Employee

A man accused in the murder of a Microsoft design manager on a Florida road was convicted in a murder-for-hire plot. The alleged scheme involved a dispute over child custody with the victim’s ex-wife. Jared Bridegan, the victim, was killed four years ago while removing a tire from a road in Jacksonville Beach.

Mario Fernandez Saldana, 38, has been convicted of first-degree murder and solicitation of murder. He is married to Bridegan’s former wife, Shanna Gardner, who is set to face trial in September. CBS affiliate WJAX-TV reported the conviction after nearly four hours of jury deliberations.

Prosecutors believe that Bridegan was ambushed due to ongoing conflicts with Gardner over the upbringing of their twins. Jared was driving home with his 2-year-old daughter, Bexley, after having dinner with his twins when the attack happened. Assistant State Attorney Christina Stifler described Bridegan as “unarmed, unaware, exposed, and vulnerable” at the time of his murder.

“They fought over everything … It was nasty. It was petty.” — Prosecutor on Bridegan and Gardner’s relationship

During the trial, the defense argued that Saldana had no motive to orchestrate Bridegan’s murder. His attorney claimed that there was no evidence showing Saldana expressed any desire for Bridegan’s death. Saldana and Gardner are estranged, and Gardner now resides in Washington state.

There was no personal connection between the alleged gunman, Henry Tenon, and Bridegan, although Tenon had rented from Saldana previously. Payments labeled as handyman work and business ideas, totaling $10,000, were made to Tenon after the murder. Police found Tenon’s DNA on the rim of the tire involved in the setup.

Initially, Tenon pleaded guilty and agreed to testify against Saldana but later withdrew from the deal and has a trial scheduled for next year.

Shanna Gardner is the daughter of a Stampin’ Up! co-founder, a craft company in Utah. The victim was married to Kirsten Bridegan at the time of his death, and they raised two children together. Kirsten described the relationship between Jared and Shanna post-divorce as “pretty terrible,” with “absolutely no trust.”

In response to the tragedy, Kirsten Bridegan started the Bridegan Foundation in 2022. The nonprofit aims to alleviate children’s distress during police station visits, inspired by Bexley’s extended time at a station without her parents following the murder.