Gunmen attack guests at wedding in France, leaving one dead and several wounded
- Multiple gunmen opened fire at a wedding venue in Thionville, France.
- The attack resulted in the death of a man and injuries to several others, including three critical cases.
- Police suspect the incident may be linked to drug traffickers settling scores.
In a tragic incident in north-east France, one person was killed and five others were wounded when masked gunmen opened fire at a wedding ceremony in Thionville. The attack, believed to be linked to a settling of scores between drug traffickers, occurred early on Sunday at a reception hall where around 100 people were present. Two individuals sustained serious injuries, with one in critical condition, as the perpetrators fled the scene after arriving in a 4X4 vehicle, possibly a BMW. The assailants, armed with automatic weapons and shotguns, targeted a group of people smoking outside the hall during the wedding celebration. The police source clarified that the wedding itself was not the intended target, but rather individuals attending the event. The region of Thionville, situated near the borders of Luxembourg and Germany, has witnessed violent incidents associated with drug trafficking in the past, with the recent shooting adding to the concerns of organized criminal activities in the area. Authorities are treating the shooting as a targeted assassination by an organized criminal gang, with reports indicating that the victims, including a pregnant woman, were guests at a Turkish wedding. The local prosecutor's office confirmed that several dozen rounds of ammunition were fired during the attack, resulting in one fatality and three critically injured individuals. The mayor of Thionville mentioned that the wedding participants were not local residents but from the nearby metropolitan area of Metz, emphasizing the potential connection to drug-related crimes in the region. As investigations continue into the incident, police are exploring leads on the origin of the vehicle used by the gunmen, with suspicions raised on potential links to criminal activities in neighboring countries. The violent episode underscores the ongoing challenges posed by drug trafficking in the border region of Lorraine, with previous incidents like the shooting in Villerupt highlighting the persistent threat of gang-related violence in the area.