A tragic incident unfolded in the village of Goult, near Avignon, France, where a bride was shot dead during her wedding celebration. The attack occurred when masked gunmen opened fire late on Saturday night, resulting in the death of the 27-year-old bride and leaving her 25-year-old groom and a 13-year-old child with serious injuries.
Details of the attack
The horrifying event took place around 4:30 AM local time on Sunday, as the newlyweds were departing the village hall where their wedding festivities were held. According to reports from local authorities, the couple was targeted by unidentified assailants who fled the scene after the shooting. An ongoing manhunt is currently underway, involving a significant police presence and aerial support.
Avignon prosecutor Florence Galtier noted that one of the suspected attackers was killed during an exchange of gunfire, although conflicting reports suggest that he might have been struck by the couple’s vehicle as they attempted to escape. The prosecutor confirmed that the surviving attackers had arrived in a car but managed to flee on foot following the incident.
Community response and investigation
At the time of the attack, there were 28 individuals present in the hall, with one woman sustaining minor injuries. Local mayor Didier Perello expressed his outrage over the violence, emphasizing the community’s shock, given that Goult is not accustomed to such heinous acts. He remarked, “We’re close to towns, I won’t name them, where unfortunately, we’ve seen this kind of thing before.”
The hall had been reserved earlier in March for the wedding by individuals who do not reside in the commune, raising further questions about the circumstances surrounding the attack. Guillaume Molinas, a 50-year-old local restaurant owner, voiced concerns that this violent event could tarnish the village’s reputation, stating, “The last major incident in the village was 125 years ago.”
In response to this tragedy, authorities have opened an investigation into both murder and attempted murder, with speculations linking the violence to possible drug-related activities.
“I’m outraged,” he added.