A 43‑year‑old Swiss man has been arrested following a lethal shooting at a techno rave in Aarau that left a 22‑year‑old Italian woman dead and several others injured.
The incident unfolded at the Schachen horse‑race track in Aarau, a town 46 km west of Zurich. Italian traveller Maria Spinelli was killed while four men and a woman between 24 and 27 received hospital treatment for injuries ranging from minor to severe.
Police received a call of gunshots at about 02:30 a.m. Sunday. A rapid response and an extended manhunt ensued, culminating in the suspect’s apprehension shortly before 01:00 a.m. local time. Authorities confirmed the suspect had acted alone, although a full investigation into motives and background is underway.
Eyewitness accounts describe shock as gunfire erupted minutes after the music stopped, with some initially mistaking the sound for fireworks. The event, which organisers expected to host 3,500 people, faced immediate evacuation and the scene was cordoned by police tape.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni urged Swiss authorities to “shed full light” on the killing. Meanwhile, Italy’s foreign minister sent officials to Zurich to monitor the investigation.
Gun ownership in Switzerland is among the highest in Europe, yet serious shootings remain infrequent. The last large-scale attack occurred in 2001 when a gunman killed 14 members of a local parliament in Zug before committing suicide.
Authorities continue to investigate the case, with the suspect’s arrest marking a pivotal step in the unfolding investigation.
