Groom Shot in Head During Backyard Wedding in St. Louis “He’s Fighting for His Life”
Jeanie Ratliff/GoFundMe
ST. LOUIS (KMOV/Gray News) – A backyard wedding in St. Louis turned into a nightmare when two masked men entered the property and shot the groom in the head, police said. Now, 32-year-old Francisco Gonzalez is fighting for his life in the hospital. The shooting occurred early Saturday around 1 a.m., following the couple’s Friday night ceremony.
According to St. Louis Metropolitan Police incident reports, several people were gathered in the backyard when two men wearing ski masks entered the property and announced a robbery.
Police said as one of the suspects was going through peoples’ pockets, the other, armed with two handguns, stood behind Gonzalez with a gun to his head, told KSDK.
Yaribeth Pena, the bride’s sister, described the terrifying moment. “It was very terrifying,” she said, explaining how she ran for help as soon as the masked men entered the backyard. Pena recounted the horror of hearing the gunshot that struck her new brother-in-law in the head. Gonzalez is now fighting for his life at a local hospital.
The newlyweds have been together for a decade and have two children. “He’s a family man. He loves his kids, they’re everything to him,” Pena said. Surveillance video captured a brief shot of the two men walking toward the home and then running away. No arrests have been made.
Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward to help catch the perpetrators of this horrific crime. The police are actively investigating the incident, gathering evidence from the scene, and reviewing surveillance footage. They are also conducting interviews with attendees in hopes of identifying the suspects.
This shocking event has left the local community in disbelief. Friends and neighbors have rallied around the Gonzalez family, offering support and prayers during this challenging time.
In the wake of this tragedy, the family is focusing on Gonzalez’s recovery, hoping for a miracle as he battles for his life. The community remains on edge, hoping for swift justice and an end to the violence that has marred a celebration of love.
The school included a link to a GoFundMe account created to help the family. Thus far, it has raised more than $25,000 of its $50,000 goal. Anyone with information is urged to call CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-8477 or online here.
