Shooting at rave party in Aarau: one dead, five wounded, 43-year-old arrested
Swiss police have arrested a 43-year-old Swiss national suspected of a deadly shooting at a techno party in Aarau. A 22-year-old Italian woman, Maria Spinelli, was killed, and five people were hospitalised.
Suspect arrested for shooting at rave party in Aarau
Swiss police arrested on Monday shortly before 1 a.m. a 43-year-old Swiss national suspected of a deadly shooting at a techno party in the city of Aarau. According to a report from the 24sata portal, the attacker killed a 22-year-old Italian woman and injured five other people.
The tragic incident occurred at the event "Aarau Rave VOL. 7" at the covered racecourse Schachen, which accommodates around 3,500 visitors. Aarau is a city of approximately 22,300 inhabitants, situated 45 kilometres west of Zurich.
According to witness statements collected by Swiss newspaper Blick, gunshots rang out around 2:30 a.m., immediately after music stopped and the party officially ended. In the initial confusion, many mistook the sounds for fireworks, until someone anxiously shouted that everyone should lie on the ground. One witness recounted how he unsuccessfully attempted to resuscitate a young woman with a serious gunshot wound. Police confirmed that she died at the scene.
The victim was identified as Maria Spinelli, a 22-year-old Italian national. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni confirmed her identity on social media platform X. "My thoughts are with the other injured, including two Italian citizens, and with all the affected people," Meloni wrote.
Five wounded people — four men and one woman aged between 24 and 27 — were hospitalised with injuries ranging from light to severe. The Aargau cantonal police stated that all the injured people have residency in Switzerland.
Cartridge cases found at the crime scene indicate the use of two different calibres of ammunition, which suggests that the attacker may have used a pistol and a larger weapon, potentially an assault rifle.
In an official statement, police noted that it is currently assumed the attacker acted alone, but that an investigation into the motives and all circumstances is ongoing intensively. "The investigation into the exact sequence of events, background and possible motive is currently underway. At this time it is assumed that the perpetrator acted alone," the statement said. Investigators are considering multiple possible motives, including mass shooting, terrorism or other criminal motive.
Aargau Horse Club, which manages the racecourse, expressed deep shock. "We express our deepest condolences to all those affected and their families," they said on their official website. Swiss DJ Tekibo, who performed at the event, posted on Instagram: "What happened at the Aarau rave is absolutely heartbreaking. Techno and raves should be a place of freedom and safety, never a place where something like this happens."
Source: 24sata