Tragic Shooting at French Wedding Claims Bride's Life

In a shocking incident that has reverberated throughout the small village of Goult, a bride was fatally shot during her wedding night celebration, prompting a large-scale police manhunt amidst concerns of rising violence linked to drug-related crime.

In the early hours of Sunday morning, masked gunmen targeted a wedding party in Goult, a picturesque village in the Provence region of France, shooting the bride, 27, dead, and injuring the groom and a 13-year-old child seriously. Local authorities quickly launched an extensive manhunt for the assailants, who fled the scene after the attack. Reports suggest the violence might stem from ongoing drug-related conflicts.

Witnesses report that as the couple exited the village hall around 04:30 (local time), unidentified attackers began firing shots. Initial accounts indicated that one assailant might have been run over by the couple's vehicle, but Avignon prosecutor Florence Galtier clarified that the individual died from injuries sustained in the exchange of fire. There were 28 guests at the wedding, with one woman receiving lighter injuries.

The mayor of Goult, Didier Perello, expressed his outrage over the brazen act of violence that shattered the peaceful atmosphere of the close-knit community, home to about 1,000 residents. “I’m outraged,” he stated, revealing that the venue had been reserved in March for the wedding by individuals not from Goult.

Local restaurant owner Guillaume Molinas echoed those sentiments, concerned about how such an incident could tarnish the village's reputation. The village's last major incident dates back 125 years, marking this event as particularly tragic for the residents. Authorities are now investigating potential links to organized crime, as they strive to restore safety and security to the community.