A bride was brutally murdered at her own wedding in southeastern France when masked gunmen opened fire at 4:30 a.m., transforming what should have been the happiest day of her life into a bloodbath that left multiple people injured and a community devastated.
Key Takeaways
- A 27-year-old bride was shot dead by four masked assailants at her wedding in Goult, France, while her 25-year-old groom was severely injured
- The attack injured multiple others, including a 13-year-old child believed to be the couple’s son and the groom’s sister
- One attacker was killed during the couple’s escape attempt, while the remaining gunmen fled on foot
- Authorities have launched an investigation into “murder by an organized gang” with possible drug-related connections
- The groom reportedly has an extensive criminal record with 26 entries, fueling speculation about targeted violence
Wedding Night Turns Deadly
What began as a celebration of marriage in the picturesque town of Goult in France’s Luberon region quickly devolved into chaos when four masked assailants confronted the newlyweds as they were leaving their wedding reception. The attackers, armed with multiple weapons, opened fire on the couple and their guests around 4:30 a.m., killing the 27-year-old bride instantly. The 25-year-old groom suffered severe injuries in the attack, as did a 13-year-old child believed to be the couple’s son who was in the car with them at the time.
The mayor of Goult, Didier Perello, expressed his outrage at the violence that has shattered his community. “I’m angry. I’m outraged,” said Didier Perello. The attack occurred while 28 people were still present at the gathering, creating a scene of panic and confusion as guests scrambled for safety. In a desperate attempt to escape, the couple tried to flee in their car, resulting in the death of one of the attackers, though initial reports about how the attacker died have been conflicting.
Criminal Connections and Investigation
Investigators have quickly uncovered troubling details that suggest this was no random act of violence. The groom, who hails from Cavaillon, reportedly has an extensive criminal record with 26 entries, while the bride, from Apt, was not previously known to authorities. The groom’s sister, who was also injured in the attack, is said to have a violent criminal record as well. These facts have led police to suspect the shooting may be connected to drug-related score-settling, a growing problem in the region.
“I’m ruling nothing out. Absolutely nothing. We’re close to towns, I won’t name them, where unfortunately, we’ve already seen this kind of thing before,” stated Mayor Perello, alluding to the possibility that this could be related to ongoing criminal activity in neighboring communities. The victims were identified as members of the “Moroccan community,” according to reports, adding another layer to the investigation as authorities work to determine if ethnic or community tensions played any role.
Broader Pattern of Violence
The wedding attack wasn’t an isolated incident. On the same day, around 6 a.m., another shooting occurred in nearby Avignon in the Vaucluse region, which authorities also believe was drug-related. This pattern of violence has prompted increased concern about criminal activity in southeastern France, with the French government reportedly stepping up efforts to combat drug-related crime. The Avignon prosecutor’s office has launched an investigation into “murder and attempted murder by an organized gang” as they pursue the three gunmen who escaped.
What makes this crime particularly heinous is not just the brazen nature of attacking a wedding celebration, but the calculated timing and planning involved. The attackers arrived by car with multiple weapons, suggesting premeditation and organization. After the shooting, they fled on foot, abandoning their vehicle at the scene—a tactic that has complicated the search effort but also provided investigators with potential evidence. As detectives continue their work, a community mourns the loss of a young bride whose wedding day became her final day.
