A woman in Mississippi is facing murder charges after shooting and killing her estranged husband outside a county courthouse shortly after their divorce was finalized. The incident took place in Poplarville, Mississippi, on Tuesday morning, when Tanya Saucier, 49, waited in her car for her ex-husband, James Ray Saucier, to exit the Lenoir Rowell Criminal Justice Center. Minutes after he finalized their divorce, Tanya Saucier allegedly gunned him down in broad daylight.
The shooting occurred just before 1 p.m. as James Saucier, accompanied by his lawyer, exited the courthouse. Tanya Saucier used a 9mm handgun with a 15-round magazine to kill him in front of bystanders, including lawyers and other court attendees. Police arrived quickly and apprehended Tanya Saucier at the scene. She was charged with murder and taken into custody.
The couple’s divorce had been marked by a “volatile” relationship, according to Tanya Saucier’s attorney, Jansen Owen. He revealed that the couple had been required to attend their final divorce proceedings separately due to the nature of their relationship. The divorce was finalized in an unscheduled, impromptu meeting with the judge, which was described as an attempt to resolve their differences in a controlled environment. Despite the tension, no one could have predicted the tragic turn of events that would unfold just hours later.
Witnesses, including Tanya Saucier’s own attorney, expressed shock at her actions. Owen, who also serves as a state representative, condemned the murder, stating that there was “no justification” for such violence. He emphasized that it was a senseless act that occurred in a public setting, where others were present. The violence took place in a courthouse, a setting where one would expect a level of security, which has raised concerns about the adequacy of courthouse security across the state.
Following the shooting, Tanya Saucier was immediately arrested and charged with murder. Her actions have left both families in shock and grief. While family members knew the couple had difficulties, no one expected the situation to escalate to such extreme violence. James Saucier’s family expressed their devastation, noting that he was a father and grandfather who had been taken from them in such a brutal manner. His sister-in-law spoke of the anger and frustration the family felt, as they tried to come to terms with the loss of a loved one in such a senseless way.
The tragedy has also brought attention to the issue of courthouse security in Mississippi. Tanya Saucier’s attorney, Jansen Owen, pointed out the lack of security at many courthouses across the state, an issue that has long been a concern for many. He described it as a “big problem” throughout Mississippi, one that needs urgent attention. There are reports that federal funding has been allocated to improve security at courthouses, but it remains unclear how much of this funding will be used to address the issue.
James Saucier’s attorney, Don Rafferty, commented on the couple’s troubled past, revealing that James Saucier had been indicted earlier in the year on charges of aggravated assault and domestic violence with a deadly weapon. However, Rafferty insisted that it was Tanya Saucier who had been the aggressor in the relationship, and that James had acted in self-defense. While this history of violence adds complexity to the case, it does not justify the murder that occurred outside the courthouse.
The incident has raised broader questions about how to handle volatile relationships and the potential for violence in such situations. As the legal proceedings unfold, it will be up to the courts to determine the full extent of Tanya Saucier’s actions and the underlying factors that led to this tragic event. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of addressing issues like domestic violence and ensuring that proper security measures are in place to prevent such tragedies from occurring in public spaces.
