A wedding in St. Louis, Missouri became a crime scene on June 29, 2024, when two armed assailants disrupted the ceremony. Newlyweds Dulce and Manuel Gonzalez were celebrating their marriage in their backyard with around 50 loved ones when the incident occurred.
The joyful occasion was abruptly interrupted just before 1 a.m. Saturday when the armed intruders entered the yard through an adjoining driveway fence. Witnesses reported that the attackers ordered the guests not to move and demanded cash. One of the assailants began rummaging through the guests’ pockets while the other positioned himself behind the groom, Manuel Gonzalez.
Shockingly, one of the attackers shot 32-year-old Manuel in the head without any provocation, before both perpetrators fled the scene on foot. The robbers did not take any valuables, making the act of violence seemingly random and unfathomable.
Yaribeth Peña, the bride’s sister, spoke to local media, voicing the family’s anguish and bewilderment. “They took nothing, yet they took everything from us,” Peña stated. “He’s fighting for his life. We are hoping he pulls through.”
Manuel Gonzalez was immediately transported to a nearby hospital where he remains in critical condition. Despite the grave nature of his injuries, the family has noticed small signs of recovery. “We saw him move his hands,” said Peña, clinging to any optimism for his recovery.
The shocking incident has left the Gonzalez family and the Dutchtown neighborhood of St. Louis, Missouri severely shaken. Peña, who lives next door to the newlyweds, expressed her concerns about their safety. “I feel like we would have to move to feel comfortable,” she admitted.
The St. Louis Police Department is actively investigating the case. As of now, no arrests have been made. The authorities are appealing to the public for any information that could aid in identifying the suspects, who are believed to be teenagers according to witnesses.
A GoFundMe campaign has been initiated to assist the family with medical costs and the loss of Manuel’s earnings. The Gonzalez’s have been together for ten years and have two children.
