A 27-year-old bride was shot and killed by masked gunmen during her wedding celebration in the early hours of June 22, 2025, in the village of Goult, France. The attack also left three others injured, including the 25-year-old groom and a 13-year-old child.
The shooting occurred around 4:30 a.m. as the newlyweds were leaving their wedding reception at the village hall. According to prosecutors, the attackers arrived by car and were armed with several types of weapons. The gunmen opened fire on the couple as they attempted to leave the venue.
During the attack, one of the assailants was killed when he was struck by the couple’s vehicle as they tried to escape. Avignon prosecutor Florence Galtier confirmed that the deceased included both the bride and one of the attackers, though she did not provide further details about how the attacker died.
The 25-year-old groom sustained serious injuries in the shooting, along with a 13-year-old child who was in the couple’s car during the incident. Sources close to the case indicated that the child was the newlyweds’ son, though officials have not confirmed this relationship. The groom’s sister was also wounded in the attack.
Three gunmen fled the scene on foot after the shooting, prompting authorities to launch a massive manhunt involving dozens of police officers and helicopter support. Two suspects were arrested following the search operation, though no information about their identities has been released. Police continue searching for the third suspect.
A total of 28 people were present in the village hall at the time of the attack. The Moroccan community members had reserved the venue in March for their wedding celebration, according to local officials.
Sources close to the investigation suggested the violence may be linked to drug-related score-settling. The groom reportedly had a lengthy criminal history with multiple entries in France’s judicial database related to organized crime and drug offenses. His sister also had a violent offense on her record, according to French media reports.
Goult Mayor Didier Perello expressed his outrage over the incident, stating he was angry about the attack on his peaceful village. “I’m ruling nothing out. Absolutely nothing,” he indicated, adding that the area is close to towns where similar incidents have occurred previously. The mayor noted that the village hall had been rented by people who do not live in the commune.
The Avignon prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation for murder and attempted murder by an organized gang. Local officials believe the attack was planned and potentially gang-related, based on the coordinated nature of the assault and the weapons involved.
Goult, located in southeastern France approximately 50 miles north of Marseille, has a population of just over 1,000 residents. The village is situated in the Vaucluse department and is typically known for its peaceful atmosphere. Local restaurant owner Guillaume Molinas expressed concern that the tragedy would give the village a bad reputation, noting that the last major incident in Goult occurred 125 years ago.
The shooting has shocked the small community, with several police cars blocking access to the scene throughout the day following the attack. The incident occurred in a region that has seen increased drug-related violence in recent years, particularly in the port city of Marseille.
French authorities have recently intensified efforts to combat narcotics and drug-related crime throughout the country. The attack in Goult represents another example of how organized criminal activity has spread beyond major urban centers to affect smaller communities.
The investigation remains ongoing as police work to determine the exact motive for the attack and locate the remaining suspect. The bride and groom’s identities have not been officially released, though they are confirmed to be members of France’s Moroccan community.
