A wedding celebration turned into a crime scene early Sunday morning when masked gunmen opened fire outside a village hall in Goult, near Avignon in south-east France, killing a 27-year-old bride on her wedding night. Local officials confirmed that the groom, 25, and a 13-year-old child were seriously wounded in the attack, while one of the suspected assailants was also fatally injured.
A large-scale manhunt is under way for the remaining suspects, with dozens of police officers and a helicopter deployed to track them down. Authorities have launched investigations into murder and attempted murder.
Attack Took Place as Wedding Party Was Ending
According to Avignon prosecutor Florence Galtier, the shooting occurred at approximately 04:30 local time (02:30 GMT), as the newlyweds were leaving the reception with other guests.
As the bride and groom exited the village hall, individuals not residing in Goult targeted them. They had rented the hall months in advance.
Reports indicate that the attackers arrived by car and fled on foot after the shooting.
Galtier stated that one of the suspected gunmen died “in the exchange”, correcting earlier claims that he had been run over by the couple’s vehicle. Police confirmed that a total of 28 people were inside the hall at the time, with one other woman sustaining light injuries.
Possible Links to Drug-Related Violence
Authorities have not released an official motive, but French media outlets report that the incident may connect to ongoing drug-related score-settling in the region.
Speaking to the press, Goult Mayor Didier Perello expressed concern over the nature of the crime.
“I’m outraged,” Perello said. “We’re close to towns, I won’t name them, where unfortunately, we’ve seen this kind of thing before.”
Local Residents React to Unprecedented Violence
Goult, a quiet village with a population of around 1,000, has rarely seen violent crime, according to long-time residents.
Guillaume Molinas, a 50-year-old local restaurant owner, commented on the shock felt by the community:
“The last major incident in the village was 125 years ago,” Molinas told AFP. “I fear this will give Goult a bad name.”
Investigation Ongoing
As of Monday morning, however, investigators continue to examine the scene and collect witness statements. Authorities have not confirmed the identities of the suspects or provided additional information about the nature of the shooting.
Police are urging anyone with information about the attack or the fleeing suspects to come forward as the search intensifies.
