In Poplarville, Mississippi, a woman is in custody following a tragic incident where she allegedly shot and killed her estranged husband outside a courthouse after their divorce proceedings concluded. The shooting took place around 1 p.m. on a Tuesday at the Pearl River County Chancery Court, according to local law enforcement reports. The victim has been identified as 62-year-old James Ray Saucier. His 49-year-old wife, Tanya Saucier, was arrested at the scene and is currently being held at the Lenoir Rowell Criminal Justice Center under a murder charge.
According to James Saucier’s lawyer, Don Rafferty, the couple’s divorce proceedings had just wrapped up when the shooting occurred. Rafferty recounted, “I was handling some paperwork when things went crossways,” indicating a sudden escalation of the situation.
Tanya Saucier’s legal representative, state Rep. Jansen Owen, a Republican from Hattiesburg, stated that he was exiting the courthouse when his client began firing. “Basically, I left the courthouse and she opened fire. I did ultimately subdue her at which point she made threats against me,” Owen explained. He added, “I administered first aid as best I could to Mr. Saucier.”
Family members are struggling to comprehend the shocking incident. Johanna Peterson, a relative of James Saucier, expressed the family’s feelings of confusion and grief, stating, “It’s confusing for us, tragic. The family is in shock, as well as frustrated and enraged.” The emotional response highlights the profound impact of this event on the loved ones connected to both parties.
Court records indicate that James Saucier had been indicted in August on charges related to aggravated assault and domestic violence involving a deadly weapon. He was accused of shooting Tanya Saucier five times, including a shot to her face, about a year prior to this incident. Rafferty defended his client by asserting, “My client said he was defending himself,” indicating a troubled history between the couple. James Saucier’s trial for those charges had been scheduled for March 4 of the coming year.