Shooting in Aarau: One dead, six injured at techno party
A man fired more than 40 shots into a crowd in Aarau, killing a woman. The alleged perpetrator turned himself in to authorities in Delémont.
Alleged Aarau gunman turns himself in to authorities in Delémont
The alleged gunman who opened fire on a crowd at a techno party in Aarau over the weekend has turned himself in to authorities in Delémont. According to SRF, the man fired more than 40 shots into the crowd – one woman died and six other people were injured. The motive remains unclear.
The Aargau cantonal police nevertheless deemed the arrest a success. According to SRF, police were close on the man's heels during the manhunt. The massive investigative pressure – involving personnel from multiple police forces – is believed to have prompted the suspect to turn himself in to authorities.
Suspect exercises right to remain silent
The suspect remained silent with investigators. Why he fired into the crowd remains unclear. Police suspect a mental illness as a possible background. District Attorney Christoph Rüedi stated at the press conference: "We have evidence that the perpetrator was psychologically unwell. However, we have no documentation of this; we will need to properly request it during the criminal trial."
Gunman possessed two pistols and a Kalashnikov
Particular attention is being paid to the man's weaponry: he was carrying two pistols as well as a Kalashnikov. Police stated that he had acquired the weapons around 20 years ago. Under current firearms legislation, such a purchase would no longer be possible. The case thus raises questions about existing grandfather clause provisions in Swiss firearms law.
Police response time disputed
At the press conference, a journalist cited witness accounts stating that it took up to half an hour before police secured the crime scene. Police spokesman Schildknecht rejected this: emergency personnel had arrived at the scene "within minutes".
The Aargau cantonal police subsequently ended the press conference. A complete summary of findings was published separately.
Source: SRF