A Mississippi woman, 49, is facing murder charges for allegedly gunning down her former husband outside a courthouse immediately after their divorce was finalized, according to authorities.
The accused, Tanya Saucier, was apprehended on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, after she reportedly shot her ex-husband, James Ray Saucier, 62, outside the Lenoir Rowell Criminal Justice Center in Poplarville, Mississippi. The Pearl River County Sheriff’s Office indicated that the shooting took place around 12:15 p.m., right after the couple’s divorce proceedings had ended.
Jansen Owen, Tanya Saucier’s divorce lawyer, remarked on the incident, “What Miss Saucier did yesterday is unjustifiable. I witnessed her murder him.”
The estranged couple, due to their turbulent relationship, arrived at the courthouse at different times for their divorce settlement. Tanya Saucier, accompanied by her lawyer, arrived at 10 a.m., whereas James Saucier and his attorney arrived an hour later. The fatal shooting transpired as James Saucier was leaving the courthouse just before 1 p.m.
“I was handling some paperwork when things went crossways,” recounted James Saucier’s lawyer, Don Rafferty, to local press.
Investigators revealed that Tanya Saucier used a 9mm handgun equipped with a 15-round magazine for the alleged crime. Court officers took her into custody immediately at the crime scene before she was handed over to the Poplarville Police Department.
According to the Sun Herald, Tanya Saucier, a U.S. Army veteran, had a history of posting suspicions and perceived threats on social media. Some local residents described her as a compassionate and friendly person, while others noted changes in her demeanor after her military service.
The couple’s past was marred by domestic violence. Court documents showed that James Saucier was indicted in August 2024 for charges of aggravated assault and domestic violence with a deadly weapon. He was charged with shooting Tanya Saucier five times, including once in the face, a year before. His lawyer argued that he acted in self-defense.
“The family is in shock, as well as frustrated and enraged,” Johanna Peterson, James Saucier’s sister-in-law, stated. “She’s taken seven grandchildren’s grandfather away from them. He has a daughter and a son.”
James Saucier succumbed to his injuries despite the immediate first aid given by courthouse staff and locals after the shooting. Legal analyst Joe Raspanti speculated that Tanya Saucier’s defense team might argue mental incapacity. She is currently detained without bond.
The incident has raised questions about the security measures at courthouses across Mississippi. Owen, also a state representative, underscored the systemic security issues plaguing courthouses across the country. The Pearl River County facility, for example, does not have security cameras, although federal funding has been procured for security upgrades.
