ST. LOUIS — On June 28, Francisco Gonzalez married Dulce Peña in a backyard wedding at their home in south St. Louis.
After the ceremony, police said two armed suspects tried to rob them in the backyard and shot the groom in the head.
A week later, he remains in the hospital sedated and his wife hasn't left his side.
A GoFundMe post said while they’re waiting for the swelling to decrease, his vitals are strong.
Yaribeth Peña was there on that life changing night, watching her little sister marry the father of her two kids.
Now, their family prays for a future.
"We are having a mass in Francisco's honor to ask for his healing," Peña said.
Exactly a week after the shooting, family and loved ones gathered at St. Cecilia Catholic Church.
"We are family of faith, we've always come here," Peña shared.
Family put their faith forward for Francisco.
The church is their safe space after their lives were endangered.
"Prayers are the most important right now and we need help getting these people off the street. We're still asking people for any surveillance footage in our area of these two individuals," Peña added.
Peña asked if anyone has surveillance footage from midnight to 2 a.m. to share the vital video.
She said their family has been comforted by the community.
"We're grateful for all the people helping us," Peña told 5 On Your Side.
Father James Michler led the crowd Friday night, trying to bring light to a dark time.
Michler said, "We hope people realize there is a great deal of power in prayer."
A mass and a vigil is their vow to Francisco, pouring their love into him to push through.
"Prayer is everything to us," Peña said.
5 On Your Side reached out to police for any updates to this case.
A spokesperson shared this response:
“Any act of gun violence is traumatizing, not only to the people directly involved but their families and loved ones. Detectives continue to investigate the shooting by reviewing evidence and interviewing witnesses. We will continue to investigate until we bring justice to the victim and his family. Anyone with information about the shooting, is asked to call District 1 detectives or CrimeStoppers.”
To call CrimeStoppers, the number is 1 (866) 371-TIPS (8477).
There is a GoFundMe set up for the family.
It's raised more than $30,000. To donate, click here.