A man is dead after his estranged wife shot him outside of a Pearl River County courthouse on Tuesday, according to authorities.
Poplarville police took Tanya Saucier, 49, into custody after she reportedly opened gunfire and killed her husband, James Ray Saucier, just after noon.
The two had been in court to finalize divorce proceedings. After leaving the judicial facility, things went awry. State Rep. Janson Owen, who was representing Tanya as an attorney, told WLOX that his client started shooting her husband as he was exiting the courthouse.
Owen, who learned how to properly administer first aid during his time in the military, further noted that he rushed to help the victim. Other bystanders are said to have worked tirelessly to save James’ life.
“Basically, I left the courthouse and she opened fire. I did ultimately sue her at which point she made threats against me,” Owen told the TV station. “I administered first aid as best I could to Mr. Saucier.”
As Pearl River County investigators continue to assess the case, Tanya is locked up at the Lenoir Rowell Criminal Justice Center. Her bond has not been set at this time.
The act of violence on Tuesday did not mark the estranged couple’s first rendezvous with law enforcement. James was set to stand trial this coming March for shooting Tanya over a year ago. He was charged with aggravated assault and domestic violence with a deadly weapon.
Nonetheless, James’ legal counsel says he was acting in self-defense at the time of the shooting.
