Shooting at Aarau: 43-year-old Jura man arrested after rave party, one dead and six wounded
A 43-year-old man from the Jura opened fire at the rave party in Aargau in Aarau, killing a 22-year-old Italian woman and wounding six people. He turned himself in to police.
Shooting at Aarau rave party: Jura gunman apprehended, one dead and six wounded
A 43-year-old Swiss man, resident in a small village east of Delémont, was arrested in the night of Sunday to Monday after opening fire on participants at a rave party in Aarau, according to Le Temps. The shooting claimed the life of a 22-year-old Italian woman and wounded six people.
The shots rang out shortly after 2:30 a.m., in the night of Saturday to Sunday, at the Schachen racecourse site, on the occasion of the 7th edition of the "Aargau rave" — the largest event of its kind in the canton, gathering some 3,000 people. The evening was drawing to a close when the gunfire erupted.
More than 40 shots fired
According to Matthias Schildknecht, operations director, the perpetrator arrived by car at the location, then proceeded on foot towards the rave party. He fired more than 40 shots with an assault rifle-type weapon at the partygoers still present. He then headed towards a car park, where he fired several times with a handgun at a car that was driving away.
Three weapons were found in his vehicle: a pistol and two AK-74-type assault rifles, legally registered in his name. Authorities clarified that these weapons had been acquired legally, their purchase having been authorised twenty years ago by the authorities of the canton of Jura. The gunman had moreover surrendered his service weapon in 2013, upon leaving the military, and these weapons have no connection with the military institution.
Toll increases: six wounded
In addition to the deceased victim — a 22-year-old Italian national — six people were wounded: a German national and five Swiss men aged 24 to 31. A sixth victim, slightly struck by a projectile, only presented herself to police on Monday. Two people remain hospitalised, but their lives are not in danger. All victims are resident in Switzerland and their identities have been established.
Suspect surrendered voluntarily
The perpetrator was able to be identified thanks to information provided by a witness present at the scene, making it possible to locate a vehicle registered in the Jura. Aargau police worked in collaboration with Jura police. Matthias Schildknecht clarifies that the suspect turned himself in to the authorities.
Two witnesses encountered in his village describe him as a very discrete person, poorly integrated into the local community.
No ideological motive
Aargau police commander Michael Leupold ruled out any terrorist or organised crime angle. "We can say today that this attack is an indiscriminate shooting," he declared at a press conference held Wednesday in Aarau. Three hypotheses had initially been considered: a terrorist attack, an indiscriminate shooting, or a settling of scores linked to criminal activity.
"We have no indication suggesting an ideological or extremist motive," Leupold clarified, adding that the perpetrator had no links with any extremist movement, neither of the left nor of the right.
The public prosecutor Christoph Rüedi indicated that the suspect was not known to police services and that it was unknown whether he had undergone psychiatric treatment. "He had no personal connection to Aargau; it was random," he clarified. Upon his arrest, the man mentioned health problems, then remained silent during interrogations. His statements however suggested psychological disorders. The motive remains uncertain.
Communication strategy defended
The press conference was held nearly three days after the events, a delay that raised questions. The Tages Anzeiger questioned Max Suter, former investigator and spokesman for Aargau police, now retired, about this choice. "This cautious approach to communication is entirely justified. Imagine if the police had stated from the first day: 'We have a serious lead and we know who the suspect is.' That would have been a disaster," he replied.
Commander Leupold assured that there is no longer any danger to the Aargau population: "The risk prevention phase is now over."
Source: Le Temps