Officials: Man arrested in ‘ambush’ killing of Florida father; suspect is married to victim’s ex-wife

By Chelsea Robinson

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    JACKSONVILLE, Florida (WESH) — Another person has been arrested in the “ambush” killing of a Florida father of four.

Jared Bridegan was shot to death in front of his 2-year-old daughter in February 2022 in Jacksonville Beach.

According to First Coast News, authorities announced the arrest of Mario Fernandez Saldana Thursday. He was taken into custody at his Orlando home.

Fernandez Saldana is married to Shanna Gardner-Fernandez, Bridegan’s first wife, with whom he had two children.

The arrest comes after a man previously charged in Bridegan’s death, Henry Tenon, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the case. Tenon reportedly agreed to testify against Fernandez Saldana and anyone else who conspired in Bridegan’s murder.

Fernandez Saldana has been indicted on charges of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, solicitation to commit a capital felony and child abuse.

State Attorney Melissa Nelson declined to say if more arrests were coming but said the case was far from over.

“Our investigation remains active and ongoing. And it has not stopped today with the arrest of Mario Fernandez Saldana. We all remain committed to seeking the truth — and that is the entire truth — and holding accountable every single individual involved in the murder Jared Bridegan,” she said.

Case background Bridegan and Gardner-Fernandez went through an acrimonious divorce and were in the midst of a years-long custody battle when he was killed.

On the day of the killing, Bridegan had just dropped off his 10-year-old twins at his ex-wife’s house and was returning home to St. Augustine when he stopped to remove a tire from the road.

Police say the tire was placed there to prompt Bridegan to exit the vehicle. He was then shot to death.

The first pieces of information to be released in the killing were pictures and video of a blue pickup truck seen in the area around the time of the murder.

Gardner-Fernandez has called implications that she was in any way involved in Bridegan’s death “sensationalist” and “inaccurate.”

Family’s outrage Jared Bridegan’s widow, Kirsten Bridegan, has said she will not stop fighting for justice.

“We are also still angry,” she said. “Angry that they were walking free while we were grappling with the reality that Jared wouldn’t be here for any future memories, vacations or tender moments with our kids. Angry that our youngest, who was six months at the time of his death, will have no memories of her father. Angry there will be no new memories for Liam, Abby, Bexley, London or anyone who knew and loved Jarrett.”

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