A bride was shot dead on her wedding night in a village near the south-east French city of Avignon after masked gunmen opened fire, local officials say. One suspected attacker was also killed in an apparent exchange of fire, and the groom and a child of 13 were seriously wounded during the incident in the village of Goult. A manhunt involving dozens of police officers and a helicopter is under way for an unknown number of suspects who managed to flee. French media report that the violence may be linked to drug-related score-settling. The authorities have opened an investigation into murder and attempted murder. At about 04:30 (02:30 GMT) on Sunday the bride, 27, and groom, 25, were leaving the wedding party in the village hall when unidentified assailants opened fire, AFP news agency reports. Initial reports suggested one of the attackers had been run over by the couple's car but Avignon prosecutor Florence Galtier referred to the supect as having been hit "in the exchange". The surviving attackers, who had arrived by car, fled on foot after the shooting, the prosecutor said. A total of 28 people were present in the hall at the time of the attack, police say. One woman was also lightly injured in the incident. The hall was booked in March "for a wedding by people who don't live in the commune", local mayor Didier Perello said. "I'm outraged," he added. "We're close to towns, I won't name them, where unfortunately, we've seen this kind of thing before." Guillaume Molinas, a 50-year-old restaurant owner, said he feared the deadly attack would give the village of some 1,000 residents a "bad name". "The last major incident in the village was 125 years ago," he was quoted as saying by AFP without giving details.
Bride shot dead in attack on French wedding party
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Bride Killed in Shooting at Wedding Celebration in Southern France"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
A tragic incident unfolded in the village of Goult, near Avignon, France, where a bride was shot dead on her wedding night. The attack occurred around 4:30 AM local time as the bride, aged 27, and her groom, aged 25, were leaving their wedding party. Masked gunmen opened fire, resulting in the death of the bride and serious injuries to both the groom and a 13-year-old child present at the scene. The violence escalated into an exchange of gunfire, which left one of the suspected attackers dead. Authorities have launched a manhunt involving a significant police presence and air support to track down the remaining suspects who fled the scene. Initial investigations suggest the attack may be linked to drug-related conflicts, prompting officials to open inquiries into murder and attempted murder charges.
The village hall, where the wedding was held, was booked by individuals who do not reside in the commune, raising concerns about the safety and reputation of the small community, which has a population of approximately 1,000 residents. Local officials, including the mayor Didier Perello, expressed outrage over the incident, noting that the village had not experienced such violence in over a century. Witnesses reported that 28 people were present during the celebration, and while most escaped unharmed, one woman sustained minor injuries. The local restaurant owner, Guillaume Molinas, voiced fears that the attack could tarnish the village's image, highlighting the rarity of violent events in the area. As investigations continue, the community grapples with the aftermath of this shocking event on what was meant to be a joyous occasion.
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