Rampage in Aarau: German woman (24) shot twice at techno rave
During a rampage at a rave in Aarau, a 24-year-old German woman was shot twice. A 22-year-old Italian woman died, and a 43-year-old man was arrested.
German holiday-maker describes night of terror in Aarau
According to BILD, 24-year-old German Alexa S. has spoken for the first time about the night of the attack in Aarau. She was at a techno rave when a gunman opened fire and shot her twice. A 22-year-old Italian woman died in the attack, and several other people were injured. Cantonal Police Aargau officially classified the incident as a rampage on Wednesday.
Shortly after 2 a.m., Alexa S. was heading outside – her parents had already left the site earlier. "Suddenly we heard shots and screams. Someone shouted that we should get down," she told Swiss daily newspaper Blick. She threw herself to the ground to take cover.
"At that moment I didn't realise I'd been hit, I was full of adrenaline," the 24-year-old told Blick. "It was only later that I realised I was bleeding." Two men rushed to help her. "They looked after me. I'm so grateful to them!"
Alexa S. is trying to process the experience with a touch of humour: "I was shot twice on my left hip area. They are two grazing shots." At the same time, she cannot stop wondering about the motive: "Why would someone do such a thing? No matter what goes wrong in life, you can get help and don't have to hurt others."
Ambulances did not arrive until around 4.20 a.m. – they were initially not allowed to enter the site because the gunman was still at large. Two helpers eventually brought her forward, where she could get into the ambulance. Then she was taken to the hospital.
On Monday, a 43-year-old suspect was arrested who is believed to be responsible for the attack. This is a relief to Alexa S., but doubts remain: "Because of the two different calibres that were found, I still have two perpetrators in the back of my mind. I just hope the police have the right person and that he really acted alone."
Cantonal Police Aargau is currently investigating the incident as the work of a single gunman. According to authorities, the 43-year-old fired more than 40 shots at random into the crowd from outside the site with an assault rifle, repeatedly changing his position and direction of fire. The suspect is believed to suffer from mental health problems. Police have ruled out far-right extremist, far-left extremist, or Islamist motives.
Source: BILD