Shooting at rave leaves 1 dead, 5 injured in Switzerland

A shooting at a rave in Aarau, Switzerland, early Sunday morning left one person dead and five others injured, according to local police and media reports. The victim was a 22-year-old woman who died at the scene, while the injured included four men and one woman, all residents of Switzerland, aged between 24 and 27 years old. Their identities were not disclosed due to Swiss privacy laws.

Police spokesperson Bernhard Graser stated that the manhunt for the suspect or suspects was ongoing nonstop at full speed, with no information yet on possible motives. He ruled out the possibility of a terrorist attack, suggesting that the fact the rave was already winding down is an indicator. Graser also noted that a fight could be a potential motive.

The incident occurred around 2:30 a.m. in the canton's capital, Aarau, during the closing hours of the "Aarau Rave VOL. 7" event at the horse racing track in Aarau's Schachen district. The Aargau cantonal police alerted authorities, and a major police operation was launched, involving numerous police officers, firefighters, and ambulances. The area around the crime scene was cordoned off by the fire department.

Upon arrival, the victims were initially mistaken for fireworks by the rave attendees, who were then told to "everyone down." Police later transported the remaining visitors to a nearby gym, where many were interrogated. Witnesses with videos or photos were asked to share them with investigators.

The Aargau Racing Club, which manages the horse racing track, expressed shock at the shooting and extended its deepest sympathies to the affected individuals and their families. Swiss DJ Tekibo, who performed at the rave, mourned the incident on Instagram, stating that techno and raves should be a place of freedom and safety.

This incident is unique in recent years, according to Graser, as it is not common to have a public shooting in Switzerland despite relatively widespread gun ownership. The police presence at the scene was extensive due to the extraordinary nature of the event.