A 49-year-old woman is charged with murder after allegedly shooting her ex-husband outside a Mississippi courthouse moments after finalizing their divorce, authorities said.

Tanya Saucier was arrested Tuesday, December 17, 2024, after she allegedly shot James Ray Saucier, 62, at the Lenoir Rowell Criminal Justice Center in Poplarville, Mississippi. The shooting occurred around 12:15 p.m. after their divorce proceedings concluded, according to the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Office.

“What Miss Saucier did yesterday is unjustifiable,” said Jansen Owen, Tanya Saucier’s divorce attorney. “I witnessed her murder him.”

The couple had arrived separately for their divorce settlement due to their volatile relationship. Tanya Saucier arrived with her attorney at 10 a.m., while James Saucier and his lawyer arrived an hour later. The shooting occurred as James Saucier exited the building just before 1 p.m.

“I was handling some paperwork when things went crossways,” James Saucier’s attorney, Don Rafferty, told local media. 

Investigators said Tanya Saucier used a 9mm handgun with a 15-round magazine. Court officers apprehended her at the scene, and she was taken into custody by the Poplarville Police Department.

Tanya Saucier, a U.S. Army veteran, had a history of making social media posts expressing suspicion and perceived threats, according to the Sun Herald. Some community members described her as friendly and compassionate, while others noted changes in her behavior after returning from military service. 

The couple had a history of domestic violence. Court records show James Saucier was indicted in August 2024 on charges of aggravated assault and domestic violence with a deadly weapon. He was accused of shooting Tanya Saucier five times, including once in the face, a year earlier. His attorney claimed he acted in self-defense.

“The family is in shock, as well as frustrated and enraged,” said Johanna Peterson, James Saucier’s sister-in-law. “She’s taken seven grandchildren’s grandfather away from them. He has a daughter and a son.” 

Courthouse staff and local citizens attempted to provide first aid to James Saucier immediately after the shooting, but he died from his injuries. Legal analyst Joe Raspanti suggested that Tanya Saucier’s defense team might pursue a mental capacity defense. She is currently being held without bond. 

The shooting has raised concerns about courthouse security in Mississippi. Owen, also a state representative, highlighted systemic security issues at courthouses nationwide. The Pearl River County facility lacks security cameras, though officials have secured federal funding for security improvements.