Tragedy Strikes French Wedding as Bride is Killed in Masked Gunmen Attack
A wedding celebration near the picturesque city of Avignon in southeastern France turned into a scene of horrific tragedy early Sunday morning when masked gunmen opened fire on a wedding party leaving the venue. The brutal assault in the small village of Goult resulted in the death of the 27-year-old bride and left several others seriously injured, including the groom and a 13-year-old child.
The shocking incident, which occurred around 4:30 a.m. local time, unfolded as the 27-year-old bride and her 25-year-old groom were departing the village hall where their reception had taken place. Reports indicate they were in a vehicle, potentially with the child (described by some sources as their son) and the groom’s sister, when they were ambushed by individuals wearing balaclavas and carrying multiple weapons.
The bride tragically died at the scene from gunshot wounds. Her new husband sustained serious injuries, as did the 13-year-old child who was in the car with them. The groom’s sister was also reported to have been injured in the chaotic attack. Another woman among the 28 people present in the hall at the time suffered light injuries.
Attacker Killed During Escape Attempt
During the violent confrontation, one of the suspected attackers was also killed. While initial reports varied, Avignon prosecutor Florence Galtier stated the suspect was struck “in the exchange.” Other accounts from sources close to the investigation suggest the attacker was run over by the couple’s vehicle as they desperately attempted to flee the hail of gunfire. This scenario appears to reconcile the different descriptions, indicating the attacker was killed during the intense moments of the bridal party’s escape attempt under fire.
Following the death of one assailant, the remaining three attackers, who had arrived by car, reportedly fled the scene on foot.
Investigation Points to Targeted Gang Violence
Investigators are treating the attack as a targeted act of organized crime. The Avignon prosecutor’s office has opened a formal investigation into “murder and attempted murder by an organized gang,” underscoring the suspected premeditated and coordinated nature of the assault.
While police have not officially released the suspects’ identities or detailed information, reports from French media, drawing on sources close to the investigation, strongly suggest the violence is linked to drug-related score-settling. This suspicion is bolstered by information that the groom reportedly had a history of criminal offenses and his sister also had a violent offense on her record, contrasting with the bride who was apparently not known to police.
The village of Goult, a small community with just over 1,000 residents, is located near areas that have unfortunately seen a rise in drug-related crime, particularly in the region around Marseille. The village mayor, Didier Perello, who expressed his outrage, acknowledged this proximity to towns where similar incidents have occurred, adding weight to the potential motive.
Manhunt Underway and Local Impact
A large-scale manhunt was immediately launched involving dozens of police officers and a helicopter to track down the fleeing suspects. Police sources confirmed that two individuals were arrested on Sunday in connection with the attack, but authorities are actively searching for the third remaining assailant. The area in Goult was reportedly sealed off during the initial search phase.
The attack has deeply shaken the quiet village. Mayor Perello noted that the hall had been booked in March by people who did not live in the commune. A local restaurant owner voiced concerns that the deadly incident would unjustly tarnish the reputation of Goult, stating that the last major incident in the village occurred 125 years ago.
Authorities continue their intensive investigation and search for the remaining suspect as the community grapples with the horrific violence that shattered a day of celebration.
