After a Divorce, Are You Safe? The Jared Bridegan Story.

What Happened in the Jared Bridegan Case?

On February 16, 2022, Jared Bridegan — a 33-year-old Microsoft senior design manager and father of four — was shot and killed in an ambush on a Jacksonville Beach roadway after dropping off his 9-year-old twins at his ex-wife’s home (NBC News, 2023). His 2-year-old daughter was strapped in the backseat. Bullets struck the SUV inches from where she sat.

Investigators allege the murder was a murder-for-hire plot orchestrated by Bridegan’s ex-wife, Shanna Gardner, and her then-husband, Mario Fernandez. The couple had been through a contentious divorce and custody battle over their twins.

Henry Tenon, a tenant at a property owned by Fernandez, was identified as the triggerman after investigators connected his vehicle to the scene and found $10,000 in checks from Fernandez to Tenon in the weeks following the murder.

Where the Case Stands in 2026

The Bridegan case has seen dramatic developments since the original arrests:

• January 2023: Henry Tenon arrested and charged with second-degree murder. He later pleaded guilty and agreed to testify against Gardner and Fernandez in exchange for a 15-year sentence.
• March 2023: Mario Fernandez arrested and charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy, and child abuse.
• August 2023: Shanna Gardner arrested and indicted on the same charges.
• January 2025: Tenon recanted, claiming his testimony against Gardner and Fernandez was false, and requested a new attorney.
• November 2025: Prosecutors dropped the death penalty for Gardner and Fernandez.
• February 2026: Tenon withdrew his guilty plea and was indicted on first-degree murder — now facing a mandatory life sentence if convicted (News4Jax, Feb. 2026).
• August 2026: Jury selection for the Gardner/Fernandez trial is set for August 10.

The Bridegan case is an extreme example — but it underscores a critical reality that I see in my family law practice: the period during and after divorce can be genuinely dangerous, especially when custody disputes, controlling behavior, or vindictive personalities are involved.

How Dangerous Is the Post-Separation Period?

Research consistently shows that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced physical violence, rape, or stalking by an intimate partner (NCADV/CDC, 2024). But the risk doesn’t end when you leave — it often escalates.

The first 18 months after separation represent the most statistically dangerous period, with a 75% increase in violence upon leaving that can persist for two years or more (BWSS, 2024). Separation triggers a loss of control for the abusive partner, and divorce proceedings — particularly custody disputes — can intensify that dynamic.

In Florida, the numbers are staggering. The Florida Department of Children and Families Annual Report documented:

• 106,515 domestic violence incidents and 217 DV-related homicides
• 75,746 crisis hotline calls in FY 2023-2024
• 12,543 individuals received emergency shelter
• 20,815 children were directly impacted by domestic violence

Duval County consistently ranks among Florida’s top ten counties for reported domestic violence offenses.

What Are the Warning Signs That Your Ex-Spouse May Be Dangerous?

Not every difficult divorce involves a physical threat. But in my 30 years of family law practice in Jacksonville, I’ve learned to recognize the patterns that signal genuine danger. If your ex-spouse exhibits any of the following behaviors, take them seriously:

• Threats of violence — Whether explicit (“I’ll make you pay”) or implied (“You don’t know what I’m capable of”), verbal threats should never be dismissed. Report them to law enforcement immediately.
• Stalking or surveillance — Following you, showing up at your workplace, monitoring your location through shared apps, or tracking your social media. Florida defines stalking under FL Statute § 784.048 as willful, malicious, and repeated following or harassment that causes substantial emotional distress.
• Violating court orders — Ignoring restraining orders, custody arrangements, or other court directives. This demonstrates a disregard for legal boundaries and escalates the risk.
• Using children as weapons — Manipulating visitation to control your schedule, making threats related to custody, or putting children in the middle of conflict. In the Bridegan case, the murder occurred during a routine custody exchange.
• Escalating hostility — Anger that intensifies over time rather than subsiding, particularly when triggered by new relationships, financial settlements, or custody rulings.
• History of abuse — Past physical, emotional, or sexual abuse is the single strongest predictor of future violence. Don’t assume the behavior will stop because the relationship ended.
• Unstable mental health or substance abuse — Untreated conditions, significant personality changes, or increased substance use raise the risk profile substantially.

What Legal Protections Does Florida Offer After Divorce?

Florida provides several legal tools to protect individuals who face threats from a former spouse. As a Jacksonville family law attorney, I help clients pursue these protections regularly in the Fourth Judicial Circuit (Duval, Clay, and Nassau Counties):

Domestic Violence Injunction (FL Statute § 741.30)

Under FL Statute § 741.30, you can petition the court for an injunction for protection against domestic violence if you are a victim of domestic violence or have reasonable cause to believe you are in imminent danger. The court can issue a temporary injunction ex parte (without your ex-spouse present) that takes effect immediately. A full hearing is then scheduled within 15 days.

A domestic violence injunction can order your ex-spouse to:

• Stay away from your home, workplace, and children’s school
• Have no contact with you — directly or through third parties
• Surrender firearms
• Comply with a temporary custody and time-sharing arrangement

Stalking Injunction (FL Statute § 784.0485)

If your ex-spouse is engaging in stalking or cyberstalking but the behavior doesn’t meet the domestic violence threshold, you can petition for a stalking injunction under FL Statute § 784.0485. This is particularly relevant when the harassment occurs primarily through technology — GPS tracking, repeated texts, or online monitoring.

Custody Modification

If your ex-spouse’s behavior constitutes a substantial change in circumstances, you can petition the court to modify your parenting plan under FL Statute § 61.13. The court evaluates 20 best-interest factors when determining custody — and evidence of domestic violence, stalking, or threats is heavily weighted.

Criminal Penalties

Violating a Florida injunction for protection is a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. A second violation can be charged as a third-degree felony. If you believe your ex-spouse has violated an injunction, call law enforcement — they are required by law to make an arrest if they have probable cause to believe a violation occurred.

How Can You Protect Yourself After a Difficult Divorce in Jacksonville?

Beyond legal protections, practical safety planning can make a significant difference. These are the steps I recommend to clients who express safety concerns during or after divorce:

• Document everything — Save all texts, emails, voicemails, and social media messages. Screenshot threatening communications with timestamps. This evidence is critical for injunction petitions and custody modifications.
• Use a co-parenting communication app — Apps like OurFamilyWizard or TalkingParents create time-stamped, unalterable records of all communications. Florida courts accept these records as evidence.
• Update your security — Change passwords on all accounts (email, banking, social media). Remove your ex-spouse from shared accounts. If you share location-tracking apps, disable them. Consider updating locks and home security systems.
• Notify key people — Inform your children’s school or daycare about custody orders and who is authorized for pickup. Alert trusted neighbors. Provide your employer’s security team with relevant information if necessary.
• Create a safety plan — Identify a safe place you can go quickly if threatened. Keep important documents (ID, custody orders, financial records) in a secure location outside your home or in a digital backup.
• Contact local resources — Hubbard House is Jacksonville’s certified domestic violence center. Their 24-hour hotline is (904) 354-3114. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-7233.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a domestic violence injunction in Jacksonville?

File a Petition for Injunction for Protection Against Domestic Violence with the Duval County Clerk of Court. There is no filing fee for domestic violence injunctions in Florida. A judge can issue a temporary injunction the same day, without your ex-spouse being present. A full hearing is scheduled within 15 days, where both parties can present evidence.

What is the penalty for violating a restraining order in Florida?

A first violation of a Florida injunction for protection is a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. A second or subsequent violation can be charged as a third-degree felony, carrying up to 5 years in prison. Law enforcement officers are required to arrest someone if they have probable cause to believe a violation has occurred.

Can I modify custody if my ex-spouse is dangerous?

Yes. Under FL Statute § 61.13, you can petition for a modification of the parenting plan if there has been a substantial, material, and unanticipated change in circumstances — and evidence of domestic violence, threats, or stalking qualifies. The court can modify time-sharing, require supervised visitation, or change primary residence.

What should I do if my ex is stalking me after divorce?

Document every incident — save messages, note dates and times of unwanted contact, take screenshots of social media activity. File a police report. Then petition for a stalking injunction under FL Statute § 784.0485. Stalking is a first-degree misdemeanor in Florida; aggravated stalking (making credible threats) is a third-degree felony.

Where can I get help for domestic violence in Jacksonville?

Hubbard House is Jacksonville’s certified domestic violence center, offering a 24-hour hotline at (904) 354-3114, emergency shelter, counseling, and legal advocacy. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-799-7233. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

The Jared Bridegan case is a devastating reminder that post-divorce conflict can escalate far beyond what anyone expects. While murder-for-hire is rare, the underlying dynamics — custody battles, controlling behavior, and vindictive ex-spouses — are not. If you see the warning signs, act now.

At The Law Offices of Sacks & Sacks, P.A., we help Jacksonville families navigate difficult divorces, obtain protective injunctions, and modify custody arrangements when safety is at stake. We offer a free consultation to evaluate your situation.

Call us at (904) 396-5557 or fill out the form to get started.

Related: The Dos and Don’ts of Child Custody in Florida | Parental Alienation in Florida | How to File for Divorce in Jacksonville