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St. Louis groom shot by attempted robbers while family had backyard wedding celebration

The 32-year-old groom is in critical condition and fighting for his life.

ST. LOUIS — It was supposed to be the happiest night of their lives.

A St. Louis couple was having a wedding celebration in their backyard this past weekend when police said two robbers came in, shooting the groom in the head.

Friday evening, Dulce and Francisco Gonzalez tied the knot after a decade and two kids together.

The ceremony took place in their backyard with about 50 family members on the 3800 block of Neosho in the city's Dutchtown neighborhood.

As the night wrapped up after midnight, the bride's sister, Yaribeth Peña, said they were all hanging out and talking when two armed men in ski masks entered the yard and told them not to move.

She ran inside and heard a gunshot go off.

Police said as one of the men was going through peoples' pockets, the armed man stood behind the groom, 32-year-old Francisco Gonzalez.

He was shot in the head and the two armed men ran away with nothing. Peña believes the suspects are two teenagers, describing one as shorter than the other tall suspect.

Peña shared Ring video of the suspects running away from the scene. One video prior to the shooting shows at 12:07 a.m., two of the possible suspects rode by on a bike, as Gonzalez walked his family to their cars out front.

The suspects came back at 1:01 a.m.

Manuel is in critical condition. Peña's father said his son-in-law has made some hand movements, signaling a sign of some hope.

"He’s fighting for his life. We are hoping he pulls through. (My sister) is distraught, she’s depressed, she’s heartbroken. They were saying my brother-in-law was going for his wallet and maybe they thought he was going for a weapon," Peña said.

Peña shared her brother-in-law is responsible, kind, a hard worker, a good father, and always happy.

Peña lives right next door to her sister and brother-in-law's home. 

Now, she worries for their 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 said.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help the family with expenses, including medical bills and the loss of his income. 

To donate, click here.

No arrests have been made. The investigation is ongoing. 5 On Your Side reached out to police several times on Monday for any updates to this case, but haven't heard back.

The family is begging for anyone with information or Ring video to come forward. You can call anonymously to CrimeStoppers at 1 (866) 371-TIPS (8477)

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