Swiss police arrest suspect after deadly Aarau rave shooting
Swiss police have arrested a 43-year-old man in connection with a shooting at a techno rave in Aarau that killed a 22-year-old Italian woman and injured five others.
Aargau cantonal police said the suspect was detained shortly before 1am Monday, ending a search that had continued for almost 24 hours. Investigators believe he acted alone, although the circumstances surrounding the attack and his possible motive remain under investigation.
The shooting happened at about 2:30am Sunday as the rave at the Schachen horse racing track was ending. Police said several shots were fired at a group of people as attendees were preparing to leave the venue.
The 22-year-old Italian woman died at the scene despite attempts to resuscitate her. Five other people were taken to hospital with injuries ranging from minor to serious. The group included four Swiss men and a German woman, according to Aargau police.
Investigation continues after overnight search
The event, known as Aarauer Rave, attracted about 3,500 people, according to Italian news agency ANSA. Swiss authorities launched a major operation after the shooting, with armed police deployed in the area and a military helicopter assisting the search.
Two other Italian nationals were among the injured and were later able to leave hospital, Italy’s Foreign Ministry said. An Italian task force was sent to Aarau to assist the victims’ families and coordinate with Swiss authorities.
Police have appealed to witnesses and attendees who recorded photographs or video during the incident to provide material to investigators. Authorities said establishing the sequence of events, the background to the shooting and the motive remains a priority.
