Shots fired at rave in Aarau: one dead, five injured – police examining three scenarios
A 22-year-old Italian woman was shot at a rave in Aarau, with five further people injured. Police are investigating a terror attack, mass shooting, or criminal milieu motive.
Deaths and injuries following shots fired at rave site in Aarau
Shots were fired at the rave site in Aarauer Schachen in the early hours of Sunday morning at approximately 2:30 a.m. A 22-year-old Italian woman resident in Switzerland died at the scene. Five further people were injured, some seriously – according to Aargau cantonal police, none of them are currently in acute danger to life.
Google News AT — Crime (de) reports that investigations point to two separate crime scenes: one near the stage, another in the area of the traveller settlement. According to current knowledge, there were no injured among the travellers. Which of the two locations was affected first remains unclear. According to police, vehicles played a role in the perpetrators' flight.
Particularly revealing are the shell casings secured at the crime scene: they come from at least two different firearms – on the one hand pistol ammunition, on the other hand shell casings of the type found with long rifles or assault rifles. However, the police emphasised that this does not necessarily mean two people fired the shots. A single perpetrator could also have used two weapons.
There are no confirmed findings as to the identity of the perpetrators. Police commander Michael Leupold stated at the press conference that no connection had been established between the perpetrators and the victims: "We assume that these are random victims."
Investigators are currently pursuing three hypotheses: a terror attack, a mass shooting, or criminal activity with an as yet unknown motive. As a possible example of the third scenario, police cited a settling of scores within a particular milieu. None of the three hypotheses is being prioritised over the others. "We do not know at this time," was stated at the press conference.
The public prosecutor's office is investigating for intentional homicide. Procedural management currently remains with the police; however, the public prosecutor's office intends to request to take over.
The major operation continues. Police and investigators have been deployed with considerable resources since the night of the crime. Forensic examination at the crime scene and the hunt for the perpetrators, who remain unidentified, are also to continue through the following night.
Source: Google News AT — Crime (de)