A manhunt involving dozens of officers and a police helicopter is ongoing for the remaining suspects.

The people of Goult, a small French village near Avignon, were left in shock after masked gunmen opened fire at a wedding, killing a 27-year-old bride on her wedding night.

Local officials confirmed that one of the suspected gunmen was also killed in what appeared to be an exchange of fire. The 25-year-old groom and a 13-year-old child were seriously injured, BBC reports.

A manhunt involving dozens of officers and a police helicopter is ongoing for the remaining suspects.

According to AFP, the incident happened around 04:30 (02:30 GMT) on Sunday as the couple were leaving the village hall. Prosecutor Florence Galtier said the dead suspect had been hit “in the exchange”.

“There were 28 people present in the hall at the time,” police said, and added that one woman sustained light injuries. The attackers arrived by car and fled on foot.

French media are reporting that the violence may be linked to drug-related score-settling. Authorities have opened a murder and attempted murder investigation.

The venue had been booked in March “for a wedding by people who don’t live in the commune,” said local Mayor Didier Perello. “I’m outraged,” he added.

“We’re close to towns, I won’t name them, where unfortunately, we’ve seen this kind of thing before.”

Guillaume Molinas, a 50-year-old restaurant owner in the village, expressed worry about the village’s reputation.

“The last major incident in the village was 125 years ago,” he said. “I fear this will give Goult a bad name.”