**A bride was shot dead, and her groom seriously injured, in a shocking act of violence at a wedding celebration in Goult. Authorities suspect the incident may be tied to drug-related conflicts.**
**Violence Strikes French Wedding as Bride is Shot Dead During Celebration**
**Violence Strikes French Wedding as Bride is Shot Dead During Celebration**
**Masked assailants open fire on a wedding party in Goult, resulting in tragedy and ongoing manhunt for suspects.**
In a tragic turn of events, a bride was shot and killed during her wedding night in the small village of Goult, located near Avignon in southeastern France. The incident unfolded early Sunday morning when masked gunmen opened fire as the 27-year-old bride and her 25-year-old groom were leaving the village hall where the celebration was held.
Local officials reported that one of the suspected attackers was also killed in an apparent exchange of gunfire, while the groom and a 13-year-old child suffered serious injuries. A manhunt is currently underway, involving dozens of police officers and a helicopter, as authorities search for additional suspects who managed to escape the scene.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the violent act may be connected to drug-related disputes, prompting authorities to launch a murder and attempted murder investigation. According to Avignon prosecutor Florence Galtier, initial reports indicated that one of the attackers had been injured in a car accident involving the couple, but it has since been clarified that the suspect was shot during the exchange.
There were 28 attendees present at the wedding when the attack occurred, and one woman sustained minor injuries. Goult Mayor Didier Perello expressed his outrage over the incident, stating that the hall had been booked in March by individuals who do not reside in the commune. He emphasized the rarity of such violence in the village, noting its historical significance, as the last major incident occurred 125 years ago.
Local resident Guillaume Molinas, who runs a restaurant in Goult, expressed concern that such an event would tarnish the village’s reputation, which has been marked by its peaceful community of approximately 1,000 residents. The situation remains tense as officials work to uncover the motivations behind this shocking attack.
