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\n A suspect has been arrested in connection with a deadly shooting at a rave in Switzerland over the weekend, Swiss police have said.\n <\/p>\n
The 43-year-old Swiss man was apprehended on Monday.<\/p>\n
A 22-year-old Italian woman was killed and five other people were injured in the shooting at the Schachen racecourse in Aarau during the early hours of Sunday.<\/p>\n
In a post on X, Italy’s prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, named the woman as Maria Spinelli.<\/p>\n
“My thoughts also go to the other injured, including two Italian citizens, and to all the people involved, ” she wrote.<\/p>\n
The “Aarau Rave VOL. 7” was taking place at the horse racing track, Swiss public broadcaster SRF reported.<\/p>\n
Swiss police launched a major operation after the shooting in the capital of the northern Swiss canton of Aargau.<\/p>\n
“As part of the initiated search measures, a 43-year-old Swiss man was apprehended shortly before 1am on Monday, 31 August, 2026. The man was subsequently arrested on suspicion of committing a crime,” they said in a statement.<\/p>\n
“The investigation into the exact sequence of events, the background, and the possible motive is currently under way.<\/p>\n
“At this time, it is assumed that the perpetrator acted alone.”<\/p>\n
A witness told Swiss newspaper Blick that shots were fired \u200caround 2.30am local time (1.30am UK time) and that he tried unsuccessfully to resuscitate a woman who was bleeding from a gunshot wound.<\/p>\n
Police previously said the woman died at the scene, while four men and one woman, aged between 24 and 27, were in hospital with injuries ranging from minor to severe.<\/p>\n
All victims are Swiss residents.<\/p>\n
The town of Aarau, which has about 22,300 residents, is around 28 miles west of Zurich.<\/p>\n
The organisers’ website \u2060advertised the event as a techno party at a covered horse racetrack, with 3,500 people expected to attend.<\/p>\n
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The shooting happened right after the event finished, according to Blick, which reported people initially mistook the shots for fireworks until somebody shouted “everyone down”.<\/p>\n
The Aargau Racing Club, which runs the horse tracking track, expressed shock at the shooting.<\/p>\n
“We extend our deepest sympathy to all those affected and their families, who are facing this difficult and trying situation,” it said on its website.<\/p>\n
Swiss DJ Tekibo, who performed at the rave, wrote on Instagram that “what happened at Aarauer rave is absolutely heartbreaking”.<\/p>\n
“Techno and raves are supposed to be a place for freedom and safety, never a place where something like this happens,” he added.<\/p>\n
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