Prosecutors in Switzerland said on Wednesday that the man suspected of fatally shooting an Italian woman at a rave near Aarau is suffering from psychological problems and has not spoken to investigators since his arrest. The 43-year-old Swiss citizen, who lives in the canton of Jura, turned himself in to police and admitted to the attack, saying he had been dealing with health issues for some time.
The suspect is now in custody and faces charges of intentional homicide, bodily harm, and violations of firearms legislation. The shooting took place early on Sunday as the annual rave was winding down at a racecourse in Aarau, the capital of the northern canton of Aargau. The victim, 22-year-old Italian national Maria Spinelli, died from a bullet that struck vital organs in her upper body.
Investigation details
At a press conference, lead investigator Matthias Schildknecht said that six people were injured in the attack, one more than initially reported. Police also confirmed that two pistols and an AK-74 rifle were found in the suspect's vehicle, and forensic analysis has linked these weapons to cartridge cases recovered at the scene.
Aargau cantonal police commander Michael Leupold said that a search of the suspect's home turned up no evidence of ideological or extremist motives. The man had no prior criminal record and had left the Swiss army in 2013, returning his personal service weapon at that time.
The suspect's silence in custody has complicated the investigation, but authorities are working to piece together his background and mental state. The case has raised questions about how someone with known psychological issues could legally possess firearms, a concern echoed by the victim's family.
Family demands answers
Bruno Gallo, the lawyer representing Spinelli's family, issued a statement calling for a full investigation into the circumstances of the crime. He noted that Swiss investigators believe the arrested man suffered from psychiatric problems, yet he appears to have been in legal possession of weapons.
“This is a profile that must be fully clarified, establishing how this was possible and examining any potential responsibility, at whatever level, of those whose duty it was to prevent a dangerous situation,” Gallo said.
The family's lawyer also stressed that the full details of the shooting have not yet been made public, and he urged authorities to examine whether any lapses in oversight allowed the suspect to obtain and keep firearms despite his condition.
Spinelli had recently moved to Switzerland in search of work, and her death has sent shockwaves through both the local community and her native Italy. The Italian embassy in Bern is reportedly in contact with Swiss authorities and the family.
This incident adds to a series of violent events across Europe that have drawn attention to public safety and gun control. In a separate case, a fatal shooting in a Dutch village left one person dead and two police officers injured, while a manhunt in Montenegro ended with the death of a Russian triple-murder suspect in a shootout.
Swiss authorities have not yet released a timeline of the suspect's movements before the attack, nor have they commented on whether he had sought psychiatric treatment. The investigation is ongoing, and further forensic tests are being conducted on the weapons and the suspect's digital devices.
The rave, which had been held annually at the Aarau racecourse, attracted hundreds of attendees from across Switzerland and neighbouring countries. Organisers have expressed their condolences and said they are cooperating fully with the police.
As the community mourns, the case has reignited debates in Switzerland about mental health support and the regulation of private gun ownership. While Swiss law is generally permissive on firearms, it requires applicants to demonstrate that they do not pose a danger to themselves or others.
