Masked Assailants Interrupt Wedding Reception: Groom’s Life Hangs in Balance

In an unfortunate turn of events, a newlywed groom, 32-year-old Manuel Gonzalez, is presently engaged in a life-and-death struggle in a hospital following an attempt on his life by two masked perpetrators in the midst of his wedding reception. The incident unfolded on Friday, shortly after Manuel and Dulce Gonzalez, a couple of ten years and parents to two children, took their matrimonial vows.

A family member shared a possible motive for the attack, stating that, “They were saying my brother-in-law was going for his wallet, and maybe they thought he was going for a weapon.”

The reception was hosted in the couple’s backyard in Dutchtown, a neighborhood near the Mississippi River, just a few miles south of downtown St. Louis. As the night wore on, the gathering of about 50 family members and close friends was oblivious to the danger lurking in the periphery. Evidence from a Ring camera revealed that the two masked suspects had been surveying the area, riding past the home on their bicycles shortly after midnight.

In a horrifying twist, around an hour later, the suspects invaded the celebratory setting. Armed and menacing, they ordered the guests to immobilize while one of them started rummaging through the attendees’ personal items. At the same time, the other suspect held a gun to Manuel’s head.

The situation escalated when the gunman shot Manuel in the head, after which both assailants escaped the scene without stealing anything. “They took nothing, yet they took everything from us,” lamented Yaribeth Peña, Dulce’s sister and the couple’s neighboring resident.

Following the attack, Manuel was swiftly transported to a hospital, where he remains in a critical state. Despite his severe injury, slight movements in his hands have been observed, kindling a spark of hope for the family.

Peña described the stricken groom as a dedicated family man, who deeply loves Dulce and their offspring. “He’s just an all-around good person that, I don’t know, he didn’t deserve this,” she expressed, while also sharing insights into the possible misinterpretation that led to the shooting.

In an effort to deal with the medical expenses and loss of income, a GoFundMe account has been initiated. Dulce, amidst this turbulent time, is described as being “distraught,” “depressed,” and “heartbroken.”

The police have yet to pinpoint any suspects, however, Peña speculates they might be teenagers, describing one as shorter than the other. The investigation into this heartrending incident continues. Public plea has been made for anyone with information or possibly additional surveillance footage of the culprits to reach out to either 911 or CrimeStoppers at 866-371-TIPS.

Watch a local news report about the incident below:

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