A suspect named in the murder of a Microsoft executive made his first court appearance Thursday morning. The 61-year-old is accused of ambushing and gunning down 33-year-old Jared Bridegan in a targeted attack almost one year ago. The judge ordered him held without bond. Police believe that Tenon did not act alone.
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Police first unveiled the charges at a Wednesday press conference, which Jacksonville Beach PD Chief Gene Paul Smith and State Attorney Melissa Nelson joined. Tenon was charged with conspiracy to murder, second-degree murder with a weapon, accessory after the fact to a capital felony, and child abuse.
State Attorney Nelson said the information surrounding the arrest is sensitive and that “in order to protect the integrity of this ongoing and active investigation,” Tenon’s arrest warrant and affidavit would remain sealed for the next 30 days. Nelson did say, “we know Henry Tenon did not act alone.”
JBPD Chief Smith also offered details on the events leading up to Bridegan’s murder.
“On February 26, 2022, Jared Bridegan was driving home from a planned date night with his children… he had just dropped off his twins at their mother’s home and was driving to his own home on a dark area.”
Bridegan’s 2-year-old daughter was with him in the car, strapped into a car seat in the back.
“Jared came upon a tire blocking his route of travel. That tire was purposely placed there to make him stop.”
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Smith said Bridegan then got out of his car to move the tire.
“It was then that he was gunned down in cold blood… this was a planned and targeted ambush and murder.”
Tenon is facing child abuse charges for placing Bridegan’s 2-year-old “directly in harm’s way.”
Bridegan’s widow, Kirsten, offered a Fox News interview where she discussed a connection between her husband’s ex-wife, Shana Gardner-Fernandez, and the murderer. Fox reported that Tenon rented his Jacksonville home from Gardner-Fernandez’s second husband. Jared Bridegan and his ex-wife had been fighting a contested divorce from 2016 until his death. When asked about the connection, Kirsten Bridegan said, “I’m not surprised to be honest.”
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Smith said that police have been working for almost a year to track down Bridegan’s killers. Tenon’s case was passed to the Duval County Circuit Court, with his arraignment set for February 16.
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