A joyous celebration turned into a night of horror for a Missouri couple when masked gunmen stormed their backyard wedding reception, shooting the groom in front of his bride and guests during an attempted robbery.
Manuel and Dulce Gonzalez, who had been together for over a decade and were parents to two young children, hosted an intimate wedding ceremony at their St. Louis home on Friday. Around 50 close friends and family were in attendance to celebrate their union, reported Fox 2 Now.
As the evening wound down around 1 a.m. on Saturday, two assailants wearing ski masks barged into the backyard, ordering everyone to remain still and demanding money. Without warning, one of the gunmen shot 32-year-old Manuel Gonzalez in the head, devastating the gathering.
Despite their violent intrusion, the gunmen fled the scene empty-handed, leaving behind a traumatized group of guests who had escaped without any physical belongings but had lost their sense of security and peace.
“They took nothing, yet they took everything from us,” expressed Yaribeth Peña, the bride’s sister, in an emotional interview with the outlet. A GoFundMe campaign has been initiated to support the Gonzalez family during this challenging time, with Manuel listed in critical condition after being rushed to the hospital.
Peña, who witnessed the horrifying ordeal unfold within seconds, speculated that the assailants shot her brother-in-law while he was reaching for his wallet, perhaps mistaken as a threat.
Security footage from the couple’s Ring Doorbell captured the suspects approaching and fleeing the scene, but their identities and whereabouts remain unknown. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department continues its investigation, urging anyone with information to come forward.
Manuel Gonzalez’s father-in-law shared that he has shown some signs of movement but remains in critical condition, prompting an outpouring of support from the community for his recovery. Peña described her sister as devastated and heartbroken over the sudden and senseless violence that has shaken their family to its core.
Described as a dedicated father and hardworking man, Manuel Gonzalez is fighting for his life, leaving his loved ones grappling with the aftermath of a tragic event that has left them feeling unsafe in their neighbourhood.
Peña, who now fears for her family’s safety with the gunmen still at large, appealed for community assistance in locating the suspects and ensuring justice for her brother-in-law.
As the investigation unfolds, the Gonzalez family remains hopeful for Manuel’s recovery while grappling with the emotional and physical aftermath of the harrowing attack that marred what should have been a day of celebration and love.
