In the early hours of a techno rave held at Aarau’s horse‑racing track, gunfire erupted at approximately 02:30 local time, killing 22‑year‑old Italian Maria Spinelli and leaving several others injured.
After a nearly 24‑hour manhunt, cantonal police announced that they had arrested a 43‑year‑old suspect before midnight, concluding the search.
Authorities say the suspect acted alone, but the motive remains unknown. Police are still piecing together the exact sequence of events.
The tragedy drew sharp responses from Italian officials, including Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and the foreign ministry, who urged swift cooperation from Switzerland.
Switzerland’s high rates of gun ownership contrast with the rarity of such violent incidents; the last major shooting occurred in 2001, when 14 parliament members were killed.
Now, security experts are calling for stricter controls on weapon access and more robust safety measures at large events such as raves.
