A joyous wedding in France ended in bloodshed as masked gunmen executed a 27-year-old bride in front of her new husband and young child, turning a celebration of love into a scene of carnage linked to suspected drug gang violence.
Key Takeaways
- A bride was fatally shot and her groom, their 13-year-old child, and the groom’s sister were injured when masked gunmen attacked their wedding party in southeastern France
- The attack occurred around 4:30 a.m. as the newlyweds were leaving their reception in the village of Goult in the Luberon region
- One attacker was killed during the couple’s desperate escape attempt, while the remaining assailants fled on foot
- The 25-year-old groom has a criminal record with 26 entries, fueling speculation the attack was a drug-related revenge hit
- French authorities have launched an investigation into “murder and attempted murder by an organized gang”
Wedding Celebration Turns Deadly
What should have been the happiest day of a young couple’s life turned into a nightmare in the picturesque village of Goult in southeastern France. The deadly attack unfolded around 4:30 a.m. as the newlyweds were leaving their wedding celebration. Four masked assailants, heavily armed, confronted the couple and opened fire without warning. The 27-year-old bride was killed instantly, while her 25-year-old groom suffered severe injuries but survived the attack. Most horrifying was that their 13-year-old child, who was in the car with them, was also wounded in the brutal assault.
The wedding reception, attended by 28 guests, transformed from a scene of celebration to one of chaos and terror as gunfire erupted. In addition to the bride, groom, and child, the groom’s sister also sustained injuries during the attack. The assailants, who arrived by car and were armed with multiple weapons, executed what appears to have been a carefully planned ambush. Investigators are now piecing together the events that led to this tragedy as the quiet village community reels from the shocking violence that has disrupted their normally peaceful surroundings.
Desperate Escape and Criminal Connections
In a desperate bid to escape the gunmen, the couple attempted to flee in their vehicle. During this chaotic escape, one of the attackers was killed. Initial reports suggested the attacker was run over by the couple’s car, but prosecutors later clarified that the suspect was shot during the exchange of gunfire. This deadly confrontation left one assailant dead at the scene while the remaining gunmen fled on foot, disappearing into the countryside. The local community is now on edge as authorities work to locate and apprehend the escaped assailants.
“I’m angry. I’m outraged,” said Didier Perello, the mayor of Goult.
The criminal background of the groom has become a central focus of the investigation. According to authorities, the 25-year-old man from Cavaillon has an extensive criminal record with 26 entries, while his bride from Apt was not previously known to law enforcement. The groom’s sister, who was among the injured, also reportedly has a violent criminal history. These connections have led investigators to strongly suspect the attack was not random but rather a targeted hit possibly related to drug trafficking or gang rivalries that have plagued certain areas of southeastern France.
Drug Violence Epidemic in France
The Avignon prosecutor’s office has launched an investigation into “murder and attempted murder by an organized gang,” a classification that reflects the serious and premeditated nature of the attack. Reports indicate the victims were identified as members of the “Moroccan community,” though authorities have not specified whether this played any role in the targeting. The attack comes amid growing concerns about drug-related violence in France, with President Trump’s administration monitoring the situation closely as European nations struggle with rising gang activity.
“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,” said Didier Perello, the mayor of Goult.
The wedding shooting wasn’t isolated. Merely hours later, around 6 a.m. on Sunday, another shooting occurred in Avignon in the same Vaucluse region, also believed to be connected to drug trafficking. The French government has been increasing efforts to combat drug-related crime, but these incidents demonstrate the persistent and growing threat posed by organized criminal networks. This pattern of violence highlights a concerning trend of brazen attacks by drug gangs willing to carry out executions even at family celebrations, showing complete disregard for innocent bystanders and traditional social boundaries.
