Ernest Cardona Jr., a 43-year-old man of Hispanic ethnicity, tragically passed away on April 28, 2021, in Bryan, Texas. He was born on December 4, 1977, in Plainview, Texas, and was a beloved member of the Momentum Church. Ernest enjoyed barbecuing, playing dominoes, and spending time with his family. He is survived by his three daughters, Larissa, Brianna, and Miranda; two sons, Michael and Elias; two grandsons; two brothers; and a sister.
On the morning of April 28, 2021, Ernest was fatally shot in an incident believed to be an isolated confrontation. The shooting occurred just before sunrise, approximately two blocks south of Sue Haswell Park on North Ennis Street, between Antone and 25th Street. The suspect, 22-year-old Clifford Dewayne Salter, who knew Ernest, turned himself in later that night at the Brazos County Sheriff's Office. Salter was arrested on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and held in lieu of a $200,000 bond.
The Bryan Police Department announced that Salter was in jail and that an arrest warrant had been issued for him in connection with the fatal shooting. Investigators believe this was an isolated incident, and no further details about the circumstances leading to the shooting have been released.
Ernest Cardona Jr.'s death has left a significant void in the lives of his family and friends, who remember him fondly for his friendly and helpful nature. The community continues to mourn his loss and honor his memory.
