A newlywed couple’s celebration turned into a horrifying ordeal when masked gunmen invaded their wedding party and critically injured the groom. Dulce and Manuel Gonzalez, who had been together for a decade and shared two children, decided to formalize their union in a heartfelt home ceremony in St. Louis. On the joyous day of June 28, about 50 loved ones gathered at their residence on the 3800 block of Neosho in the Dutchtown neighborhood to celebrate the couple’s nuptials.
As the festivities extended past midnight, tragedy struck. While the remaining guests were enjoying each other’s company in the backyard, two masked assailants armed with guns stormed in, instructing everyone not to move. Amidst the chaos, Yaribeth Peña, Dulce’s sister, managed to escape inside the house. Unfortunately, gunshots followed her dash to safety.
The police investigation revealed a chilling sequence of events: while one gunman rifled through the guests’ pockets, the other pointed his gun at 32-year-old Manuel, eventually shooting him in the head. The horrific act left Manuel in a critical state, fighting for his life in the hospital.
“We are hoping he pulls through,” Yaribeth Peña disclosed to KSDK-TV. She described her sister as “distraught, depressed, and heartbroken,” suggesting that the attackers may have misinterpreted Manuel reaching for his wallet as him grabbing a weapon.
The perpetrators fled the scene empty-handed and remain at large. As of July 2, no arrests had been made, though Peña speculated that the suspects might have been teenagers. The proximity of violence has deeply unsettled the family, with Yaribeth, who lives next door, expressing her fear for the community’s safety. “I feel like we would have to move to feel comfortable. I would like for the community to help us locate these suspects,” she stated.
In light of Manuel’s hospitalization, the family remains hopeful, clinging to positive signs like his minor hand movements. To aid with mounting medical expenses and the loss of income, a GoFundMe page has been established. “We need prayers that he will come through this,” the page implores. “In the meantime, the family will need help with expenses, including medical bills and the loss of his income. Any support that can be afforded to this sweet family will be greatly appreciated.”