JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The former wife of a Microsoft executive from Florida who was killed in an unexpected shooting last year is now facing charges related to his death.
Officials from the Jacksonville Beach Sheriff’s Office and the State Attorney’s Office announced on Thursday that Shanna Gardner-Fernandez has been formally charged by a grand jury.
She is facing accusations of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, solicitation to commit first-degree murder, and child abuse in connection with the shooting death of Jared Bridegan.
On February 16, 2022, Bridegan was shot multiple times as he got out of his SUV to change a tire on the road in Jacksonville Beach. Despite the incident, his young daughter in the back seat remained unharmed.
Gardner-Fernandez had long been considered a potential suspect in the case, especially after her current husband, Mario Fernandez-Saldana, was also charged in connection with the shooting.
Fernandez-Saldana faced charges of first-degree murder with a weapon, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, solicitation to commit a capital felony, and child abuse.
According to prosecutors, it is alleged that Gardner-Fernandez and Fernandez-Saldana devised a plan to orchestrate the murder of her former husband. They purportedly strategically placed the tire on the road to entice Bridegan out of his vehicle.
Fernandez-Saldana was accused of writing checks to the alleged gunman, Henry Tenon, 62, who shot Bridegan. Earlier this year, Tenon admitted to the police and pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.
Gardner-Fernandez was apprehended by ATF agents in Washington and is currently awaiting extradition to Duval County.
