A Mississippi woman has been arrested for the fatal shooting of her ex-husband outside a bustling county courthouse, shortly after their divorce was finalized, as per law enforcement reports. Tanya Saucier, 49, was reportedly waiting in her vehicle for her former spouse, James Ray Saucier, to leave the Lenoir Rowell Criminal Justice Center in Poplarville on Tuesday morning. Following the conclusion of their divorce proceedings, she allegedly shot him, according to the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Office.
Tanya Saucier’s divorce lawyer, Jansen Owen, informed local media that the ex-spouses had to enter the justice center separately due to their tumultuous relationship. The meeting with the judge to finalize the divorce was an unscheduled, impromptu session, according to Maj. Scott Allee, Lead Investigator at the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Office.
Tanya Saucier, now facing murder charges, allegedly used a 9 mm handgun with a 15-round magazine to kill James Saucier as court attendees and attorneys, including her own, were present at the justice center. Owen, who witnessed the incident, stated that there was no justification for his client’s actions. He and Tanya Saucier arrived at the courthouse around 10 a.m., with James Saucier and his attorney arriving an hour later. James Saucier was shot shortly before 1 p.m. after exiting the justice center.
Following the shooting, Tanya Saucier was immediately apprehended and charged with murder. Owen, who also serves as a state representative, attributed the incident to Mississippi’s lax courthouse security, which he identified as a widespread issue.
According to Maj. Allee, there is some funding available, procured through federal appropriations, to enhance courthouse security, though the exact amount remains unclear. He acknowledged the need for improved security measures at the courthouse.
Family and friends of both James and Tanya Saucier expressed their sorrow over the incident. Despite being aware of the couple’s issues, no one anticipated such a tragic outcome. Court records revealed that James Saucier was indicted in August on charges of aggravated assault and domestic violence with a deadly weapon. However, his divorce attorney maintains that it was Tanya Saucier who was the alleged aggressor.
Regardless of James Saucier’s innocence or guilt, Owen emphasized that Tanya Saucier’s actions were not the appropriate response. He stated that vigilante justice is not condoned in America.