Two individuals have been charged with murder connected to a criminal gang after a tragic shooting at a wedding celebration in southeastern France claimed the life of a 27-year-old bride. Prosecutors reported that the incident occurred last Sunday in Goult, a picturesque village known for its lavender fields, and is suspected to be linked to drug-related conflicts.
Four masked assailants opened fire on attendees outside the village hall during the celebration, targeting the newlyweds and the bride’s 13-year-old nephew, according to Marseille prosecutor Nicolas Bessone. “The assailants opened fire, fatally wounding the bride, who was hit several times near the carotid artery,” Bessone stated.
He further noted that the groom sustained multiple injuries to his upper body, while the young boy suffered a lung injury and was initially reported in critical condition. Additionally, the groom’s sister was wounded in the shoulder.
One attacker was killed during the incident, having been “shot in the back and head” and also “hit by a vehicle during the attack,” as described by the prosecutor. The three remaining suspects fled on foot, with two later arrested in a nearby town and one still at large.
Reports from Le Figaro indicated a potential connection between these suspects and another shooting incident later that same day in Avignon, where one man was killed and another injured near a shopping center.
After spending 96 hours in custody, the two arrested suspects faced a magistrate on Thursday, where they were charged with murder and attempted murder as members of an organized gang. They have since been remanded into custody.
The Marseille public prosecutor did not disclose the suspects’ motivations; however, sources indicate that the 25-year-old groom has a history of police involvement related to drug and organized crime offenses. There are suggestions that the violence may stem from possible drug-related conflict.
As of 2022, Goult had a population slightly above 1,000. This village is situated approximately 50 miles north of Marseille, a city that has experienced an increase in drug-related homicides in recent years. In response to the escalating issue, the French government has pledged to enhance its efforts to combat narcotics and drug-related crime.