A 43-year-old Swiss man was taken into custody early Monday on strong suspicion of carrying out a rare deadly shooting at a rave in northern Switzerland. The attack, which unfolded as the event was drawing to a close, left a 22-year-old Italian woman dead and five other people injured, some seriously.
The suspect was apprehended shortly before 1:00 a.m. local time, according to a statement from Aargau cantonal police. “The man was subsequently arrested on strong suspicion of having committed the crime,” the statement said. “Investigations into the exact sequence of events, the background, and the possible motive are currently under way.”
Police said they believe a single perpetrator was responsible, though they have not yet disclosed a possible motive. The shooting took place in the early hours of Sunday at the Schachen horse racing track in Aarau, the capital of Aargau canton, where an annual rave was winding down.
Fatal shots as partygoers prepared to leave
According to an earlier police statement, several shots were fired “at a group of people” as attendees were preparing to head home. The 22-year-old Italian woman died at the scene. “She died instantly, despite attempts to resuscitate her,” police said.
Five other people were injured and taken to hospital with wounds ranging from minor to serious. On Monday, police identified the injured as four Swiss men and a German woman, aged between 24 and 31. Earlier, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had said two Italians were among the wounded, but the Aargau police later clarified the nationalities of the victims.
The attack triggered an international manhunt, with authorities across Europe alerted. The swift arrest of the suspect, a Swiss national, brought the search to an end within roughly 24 hours.
Gun violence of this kind is extremely rare in Switzerland, where strict firearms laws and a strong hunting and sport-shooting culture coexist with one of the lowest violent crime rates in Europe. The shooting has nonetheless shaken the local community and raised questions about security at large public events.
Police have appealed for witnesses and anyone with footage of the incident to come forward as they piece together the timeline. The investigation is ongoing, with forensic teams examining the scene at the racecourse.
This incident echoes broader concerns across Europe about public safety at mass gatherings. In recent months, authorities in several countries have grappled with violent incidents, from gang-related shootings in Brussels to a school incident near Berlin. While the Aarau case appears to be isolated, it highlights the need for vigilance at events that draw large crowds.
The victim's family has been informed, and consular assistance is being provided through Italian diplomatic channels. The Swiss federal police are coordinating with their Italian counterparts as part of the investigation.
As the community mourns, local officials have expressed condolences and promised a thorough inquiry. The racecourse, which hosts various events throughout the year, has been closed pending the police investigation.
