A 43‑year‑old Swiss national was arrested in Aarau after a violent shooting at a techno rave held at a horse racing track, which killed Italian 22‑year‑old Maria Spinelli and injured several others.
The shooting occurred around 02:30 local time on Sunday, knocking the event into chaos and prompting a costly, rapid manhunt. Police finally apprehended the suspect just before 01:00 on Monday, marking a swift legal turnaround.
Spinelli died on site, and four men and a woman, aged 24–27, were taken to hospital with injuries ranging from minor to severe.
Authorities say the perpetrator acted alone and that they are investigating the sequence of events, background, and motive. The investigation is ongoing.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called for Swiss officials to find those responsible, and Italy’s foreign ministry sent officials to Zurich to monitor proceedings.
Switzerland has a high rate of gun ownership, though serious shootings are rare, with tighter controls introduced in recent years. The last major shooting occurred in 2001 when 14 members of the Zug parliament and local government were killed by a gunman who then took his own life.
