Shots fired at Aarau rave: 22-year-old Italian woman killed, Swiss national detained
Shots were fired at the Aarau rave on the racecourse in the early hours of Sunday – a 22-year-old woman died and six others were injured. A 43-year-old Swiss national turned himself in to police.
Shooting rampage at Aarau rave: fatality, injured and a confessing suspect
Shortly after 2.30 a.m. on Sunday morning, a gunman opened fire at the Aarau rave on the racecourse in Schachen. According to Blick, two weapons were used: a pistol or submachine gun and an assault rifle.
The 22-year-old Italian woman Maria S., resident in Oftringen AG, was killed. Six other people sustained partially severe injuries. All victims are resident in Switzerland; the Aargau cantonal police described them as random victims.
Arrest in the canton of Jura
In the early hours of Monday, shortly after 1 a.m., police arrested a 43-year-old Swiss national from the canton of Jura. The man turned himself in to the authorities in Delémont. The Aargau cantonal police assume a single perpetrator and are now referring to the act as a shooting rampage. The possible criminal charges include wilful homicide (partly attempted), murder (partly attempted), multiple endangerment of life and violations of weapons legislation.
Italian media outlets – La Repubblica and Corriere della Sera – independently report that the arrested man is a former military personnel who received inpatient psychiatric treatment on several occasions and confessed to the act. These details have not been officially confirmed; the papers cite sources from investigative circles.
Family demands thorough investigation
The father of Maria S. made a statement through his lawyer Bruno Gallo. In a statement it states: "Maria was murdered at just 22 years of age and the circumstances of the crime have not yet been fully clarified." The information disclosed so far does not permit the reconstruction of events to be considered complete.
"The hypothesis of an act attributable to an alleged shooting rampage can neither answer all questions nor replace a thorough investigation," the family states. They demand that investigations continue with the greatest care and that every lead be examined. The relatives also appealed to Italy: "Maria, as a daughter of Italy, must not be abandoned on her final journey. Italy must stand by her and receive her at last at home with the honours and dignity she deserves."
DJs describe the night of the incident
The two DJs Tekibo and Pencil, who performed that night, published a joint statement on Instagram. "The last few days are difficult to put into words. We feel the need to tell what we experienced – particularly because so much false information is already being spread," they write.
The night had been beautiful, they had laughed, danced and lived. Then they heard shots from outside. People ran in different directions and sought shelter. The musicians describe the crucial moment as follows: "One of our friends, who was very close to M., called us and told us that M. had been shot and that she was with her. This call knocked the ground from under our feet."
Criticism of media and fraudulent fundraising campaigns
Tekibo and Pencil strongly criticise media coverage. "We were there. The media were not," they write and appeal: "Please do not turn rumours into facts. There are still no final official answers from the authorities." They lament having barely slept for three days and being bombarded with interview requests – without anyone asking how they are.
Moreover, they criticise that individuals have launched fundraising campaigns without the family's permission. "We tried to make contact, but were treated disrespectfully and our messages were ignored," they write. In the meantime, an official GoFundMe has been established for Maria S.'s family, set up with the parents' consent.
The entire community is shocked, write the DJs – but they will not allow music to be abandoned: "Music is our freedom. Music is our voice. Music is our connection. We will continue to stand together. For M. For our community. For our freedom."
Source: Blick