Shooting at Swiss techno rave in Aarau leaves 22-year-old Italian woman dead and five injured
A 22-year-old Italian woman was killed and five people were injured in a shooting at an electronic music event at the Schachen racecourse in Aarau, Switzerland, triggering an international manhunt.
Gunfire at the Schachen racecourse
Gunfire broke out around 02:30 on the night between Saturday and Sunday at an electronic music event hosted at the Schachen racecourse in Aarau, located in the Swiss canton of Aargau. The rave had drawn between 3,000 and 3,500 attendees over the course of the evening, though the crowd had thinned significantly after the final musical performance concluded at 02:00. Witnesses reported that initial bursts of gunfire were mistaken for fireworks before panic spread and participants took cover on the ground. A total of six people were struck by gunfire. Cantonal police confirmed that 22-year-old Italian national Maria Spinelli died at the scene, while five other attendees sustained injuries, with several remaining in serious condition.
- Final musical performance concludes at the Schachen racecourse rave
- Gunfire breaks out, killing Maria Spinelli and injuring five others
- Cantonal disaster response units and an army helicopter secure the area
- Police transfer more than 100 witnesses to a gymnasium for questioning
Background of the victim
Maria Spinelli was born in Atri, in the province of Teramo, and lived with her family in Città Sant'Angelo in the province of Pescara. She graduated from the Zolli hotel management institute in Silvi and had relocated to Switzerland roughly one month prior to work as a waitress. Spinelli would have celebrated her 23rd birthday on 26 October. Her family in Abruzzo is well known locally, and her cousin Loris Spinelli is a professional racing driver based in the United States. Following the shooting, Italian performer DJ Tekibo shared a tribute online mourning the loss of a close friend, while police confirmed that any medical intervention arrived too late to save her life.
International investigation and manhunt
Aargau cantonal authorities deployed emergency medical personnel, the cantonal disaster response unit, and a Swiss military helicopter to secure the venue. Officers transferred more than 100 people still present at the racecourse to a nearby gymnasium for formal questioning, while investigators collected smartphone videos and photographs recorded during the night. The cantonal police are evaluating multiple potential motives, including terrorism, an escalating personal dispute, or a targeted assault. Witnesses cited by Swiss media outlet Blick described the weapons used as assault rifles or machine guns. Swiss law enforcement indicated that the perpetrator or perpetrators had fled the area, prompting cross-border search operations involving German police and arriving Italian police personnel.
Diplomatic response and condolences
The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs activated its crisis unit alongside the Italian embassy in Bern and the general consulate in Basel to provide support and verify reports that two Italian citizens are among the wounded. Swiss Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, telephoned Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani to deliver official condolences and commit full assistance to the inquiry. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and regional officials in central Italy also addressed the shooting.
Abruzzo Regional President Marco Marsilio issued a statement offering sympathy and calling for accountability:
In this moment of immense pain, the Abruzzo Region holds itself with affection and sympathy close to her family, friends, and the communities of Atri and Città Sant'Angelo, deeply affected by this dramatic event. Our thoughts also go to the other injured and to all the people involved. We hope that the Swiss authorities can shed full light on what happened and bring those responsible to justice.
