US groom shot in the head at wedding reception during attempted robbery

A US couple’s wedding night spiralled into a nightmare after a masked gunman stormed their backyard reception and shot the groom.

A Missouri couple’s wedding night spiralled into a nightmare after a masked gunman stormed into their backyard reception and shot the groom in the head in front of his bride and guests during a failed armed robbery.

Manuel and Dulce Gonzalez had been together for over a decade and were already the parents of two small children when they held an intimate wedding ceremony for about 50 of their close friends and family in the backyard of their St Louis home last Friday, Fox 2 Now reported.

However, per The New York Post, a day full of celebrating the couple’s love took a heart-rending turn.

Manuel and Dulce Gonzalez held their wedding celebration in their backyard this past weekend when police said two robbers came in, shooting the groom in the head. Picture: GoFundMe

Two ski mask-wearing gunmen stormed into the backyard, shouting at the guests not to move and demanding money as the night came to a close at around 1am on Saturday morning, police told Fox 2 Now.

As one of the criminals began rummaging through the guests’ pockets, the other stood behind the groom and held him at gunpoint.

Then, without any warning, he shot Mr Gonzalez in the head in front of his friends and family.

After the shots rang out, both men fled on foot without stealing a single dollar or item from guests.

“They took nothing, yet they took everything from us,” the bride’s sister, Yaribeth Peña, told the outlet.

The 32-year-old groom was rushed to the hospital and was listed in critical condition. Picture: KDSK

The 32-year-old groom was rushed to the hospital and was listed in a critical condition, according to a GoFundMe set up for the family.

Ms Peña, who ran into the house when the men stormed into the backyard, said the situation unfolded in about 30 seconds before her brother-in-law was shot.

“I didn’t witness when he got shot. I heard the gunshot when I was running through the house,” she told KSDK.

As the family grapples with the senseless act of violence that overshadowed a day meant to celebrate love, she suspects the armed thieves shot her brother-in-law while he was “going for his wallet”.

“Maybe they thought he was going for a weapon,” Ms Peña said.

She believes the suspects are two teenagers, describing one as being shorter than the other.

Ring Doorbell footage shows the two masked suspects approaching the house. Picture: KSDK

Both suspects are seen fleeing on foot without stealing a single dollar or item from guests after shooting the newly wed. Picture: Fox 2

Ring Doorbell footage obtained by KSDK from the couple’s home shows the two suspects approaching the house before the attempted robbery and then taking off down the road after shooting Mr Gonzalez.

No arrests have been made, and the investigation remains ongoing.

The Post has contacted the St Louis Metropolitan Police Department for any developments in the case.

'He’s fighting for his life. We are hoping he pulls through.' Picture: Fox 2

Mr Gonzalez’s father-in-law told the outlet on Monday that his son-in-law had made some hand movements since being admitted to the hospital but remains in critical condition.

Ms Peña shared that her sister is “distraught” about what happened to her husband.

“She’s depressed, she’s heartbroken,” Ms Peña said.

“He’s fighting for his life. We are hoping he pulls through.”

Mr Gonzalez is described as a 'good father' who treats hid wife with respect and is known as a hardworking family man. Picture: Fox 2

She described Mr Gonzalez as a “good father” who treats her sister with respect and is known as a hardworking family man.

“He’s just an all-around good person that, I don’t know, he didn’t deserve this,” Ms Peña told Fox 2 Now of her brother-in-law.

Ms Peña, who lives next door to her sister and brother-in-law, shared she now worries about her own family’s safety with the violent criminals still on the loose.

“I feel like we would have to move to feel comfortable,” she told the outlet while pleading with the community to help her family locate the suspects.

The family is also asking anyone with information or a Ring door video that may have caught a glimpse of the suspects to come forward.

This article originally appeared on The New York Post and was reproduced with permission

Originally published as US groom shot in the head at wedding reception during attempted robbery