Manhunt Joins Forces as Swiss Rave Shooting Leaves One Dead

Sun Sep 06 2026 05:55:15 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A 22‑year‑old Italian was killed and five wounded after a gunfire incident at a techno rave in Aarau, Switzerland. Police are still searching for the suspect.

A fatal shooting at a techno rave in Aarau, Switzerland, killed Italian resident Maria Spinelli and wounded five others. The incident, which occurred around 02:30 local time at a horse racing track, set off a nationwide manhunt with no leads yet. Swiss police, in cooperation with Freiburg authorities and German partners, have deployed a heavy armed presence and a Swiss Army helicopter over the area. Italy’s foreign ministry is monitoring the case, while local organisers pledge support to the investigation.

Manhunt underway after fatal shooting at a Swiss rave.

Italian resident Maria Spinelli, aged 22, was killed at a techno rave held at the Schachen horse racing track in Aarau. Four men and a woman, aged 24 to 27, were taken to hospital with injuries ranging from minor to severe.

Swiss police say the shots were fired around 02:30 local time and that the crime scene remains cordoned off with armed officers in riot gear surrounding the town. The authorities are conducting a nationwide manhunt; no suspect has yet been located or identified.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has urged Swiss officials to thoroughly investigate and find those responsible. Italy’s foreign ministry has dispatched officials to Zurich to monitor the investigation. Two other Italians were slightly injured and have returned home.

Organisers and performers described the shooting as occurring just after their scheduled set. The event had anticipated up to 3,500 attendees, and police have asked witnesses to provide photos and videos. The Aarau area, including the racing track, swimming pool and sports field, has been sealed off with the public urged to stay away. Armed officers were also deployed on roads up to 30 kilometres from the site, with a Swiss Army helicopter in the area.

Swiss authorities remark that the country has the highest rates of gun ownership in Europe, yet violent shootings remain rare. The last major shooting occurred in 2001 when a gunman killed 14 members of the Zug parliament before taking his own life.