Shots fired at Aarau Rave: 22-year-old killed, five injured – suspect at large
A 22-year-old woman was shot dead during the Aarau Rave techno festival overnight, with five more people injured. The perpetrator or perpetrators remain at large.
Shots fired at techno festival in Aarau: one dead, five injured
At the Aarau Rave, a techno festival around the horse racing track at Schachen, an unknown gunman opened fire during the night. According to the Süddeutsche Zeitung, citing the Aargau cantonal police, a 22-year-old woman was shot and died from her injuries at the scene.
Five other people were injured – one woman and four men aged between 24 and 27 years, some suffering serious wounds. All six victims are resident in Switzerland, the police stated.
Major operation at the scene
Police, emergency services and fire brigades are at the scene with a large contingent. According to media reports, the Cantonal Disaster Response Unit (KKE) is also deployed. A spokeswoman for the cantonal police told the Swiss newspaper Blick that it was "still not clear what exactly happened".
Media spokesperson Pascal Wenzel of the Aargau cantonal police added that due to the ongoing operation, no more detailed information could be provided. The public is urged to avoid the area.
Shots fired shortly after 2.30 a.m.
According to media reports, the shots were fired shortly after 2.30 a.m. An alleged eyewitness told Blick of "repeated shots". In a video available to the newspaper, "automatic gunfire can be heard at 2.35 a.m.".
Swiss DJ Tekibo, who had performed at the festival, described the experience on Instagram as "absolutely heartbreaking". He said he had lost "a good friend".
Suspect at large – German police involved in manhunt
The perpetrator or perpetrators are apparently on the run. The Freiburg im Breisgau police directorate confirmed that German officers are routinely participating in general manhunt measures. The motive for the incident remains unclear.
The police are asking anyone who possesses videos or images of the incident to provide them to the authorities.
Festival venue at Schachen
The festival takes place at Schachen, Aarau's sports and leisure area on the Aare, approximately 500 metres west of the old town. It is home to, among other facilities, Switzerland's largest horse racing track, as well as an open-air swimming pool and a sports hall. Aarau is in the canton of Aargau, approximately 40 kilometres west of Zurich.
According to the organisers, between 2,000 and 3,500 visitors were expected; precise figures for actual attendance were not initially available.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident; this report will be updated as more information becomes available.
Source: Süddeutsche Zeitung