Bride, 27, shot dead on wedding day by hooded gunmen in south of France

23 June 2025, 11:10 | Updated: 23 June 2025, 11:53

French Gendarmerie officers secure a perimeter near the site of a fatal shooting which took place during a wedding party in Goult, in the southern French department of Vaucluse, on June 22
French Gendarmerie officers secure a perimeter near the site of a fatal shooting which took place during a wedding party in Goult, in the southern French department of Vaucluse, on June 22. Picture: Getty

By Ruth Lawes

A 27-year-old bride was shot dead when a group of hooded men opened fire at her wedding party in the south of France.

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The husband, 25, a 13-year-old child and a woman close to the family were also seriously injured during the attack in Goult, Provence, local media reports.

One of the assailants died after being struck "in the exchange", Avignon Public Prosecutor Florence Galtier said in a statement Sunday afternoon.

The shooting happened at around 4.30am on Sunday morning as the bride and groom were leaving the ceremony by car with the 13-year-old child.

They were ambushed by a group of men, also travelling by car, who possessed "several types of weapons".

The town's mayor Didier Perello said he believed the attack was "targeted" at a press conference held at the scene.

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Masked gunmen opened fire on a wedding party, killing two, including the bride, and wounding three other attendees, as the newlyweds were leaving in the early hours of June 22
Masked gunmen opened fire on a wedding party, killing two, including the bride, and wounding three other attendees, as the newlyweds were leaving in the early hours of June 22. Picture: Getty
Mayor of Goult, Didier Perello said he was "outraged" by the shooting
Mayor of Goult, Didier Perello said he was "outraged" by the shooting. Picture: Getty

He said he felt "angry, outraged and in shock" over the tragic incident, Le Monde reported.

Police have launched a widespread operation, including a judicial force comprised of 30 investigators, to bring the surviving assailants to justice.

Investigations have been also conducted to verify whether the individuals responsible could still be in the municipality.

The bride and groom's identities have not been released but Mr Perello said they were from the nearby towns of Apt and Cavaillon respectively.

He also said the couple had booked the venue in March.

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