A tragic wedding night in the quiet village of Goult, near Avignon in south-east France, turned into a scene of horror after masked gunmen opened fire, killing a 27-year-old bride and seriously injuring the groom and a 13-year-old child. The attack, which took place around 4:30 am on Sunday, has shocked the nation and left local residents reeling.
Authorities have confirmed that an investigation into murder and attempted murder is underway. One of the suspected attackers was also killed, reportedly during an exchange of gunfire. Dozens of police officers, supported by a helicopter, have launched a manhunt for additional suspects who fled the scene on foot.
The attack occurred as the couple was leaving a celebration at a village hall booked in March by people who were not residents of Goult. A total of 28 guests were present at the time. Aside from the fatalities and serious injuries, one woman was reportedly lightly injured.
Although the motive is still under investigation, French media suggest the shooting may be linked to drug-related score-settling. Prosecutor Florence Galtier noted that while initial reports indicated one attacker may have been run over by the couple’s vehicle, he was actually killed during the violent exchange.
Local officials and residents have expressed deep sorrow and frustration over the incident. Goult’s mayor, Didier Perello, voiced his outrage and concern over the rising spillover of violence from nearby urban areas. “We’re close to towns, I won’t name them, where unfortunately, we’ve seen this kind of thing before,” he said.
Guillaume Molinas, a 50-year-old restaurant owner, echoed these sentiments, worried that the small village of about 1,000 residents would now be associated with this violent act. “The last major incident in the village was 125 years ago,” he noted.
The unprecedented attack has cast a shadow over what should have been a joyful occasion and left a tight-knit community grappling with grief and fear as authorities work tirelessly to bring the perpetrators to justice.
