Swiss rave shooting kills woman, injures five

AARAU, Switzerland: A night of music and celebration turned into a scene of panic in the Swiss town of Aarau early Sunday after gunfire erupted at an event, killing a 22-year-old woman and leaving five others injured.

Police said some of those wounded were seriously hurt, while a major manhunt was launched for the suspected shooter.

The victims, all Swiss residents in their 20s, were caught up in the shooting during the early hours of Sunday, according to Aargau cantonal police. Large areas of Aarau were cordoned off as heavily deployed police searched for the attacker.

Authorities also expanded their presence beyond the town, located around 50 kilometres west of Zurich, as a precaution.

An army helicopter was deployed to monitor the area from above, Swiss broadcaster RTS reported.

Gunfire sparks panic

A witness quoted by Swiss newspaper Blick said the first shots were heard at around 2:30am.

The witness said he attempted to help a woman who had suffered a gunshot wound and tried unsuccessfully to resuscitate her.

Police later confirmed that the 22-year-old woman died at the scene from her injuries.

The five injured victims were taken for medical treatment, with some reported to be in serious condition.

Police have not publicly identified the suspected shooter or disclosed a possible motive. Investigators were working to establish exactly what happened and whether the shooting was targeted or followed an altercation.

Authorities appealed to members of the public who may have photographs or videos from the incident to provide them to investigators.

Thousands expected at event

Swiss media reported that the shooting occurred at a rave party.

The event organisers had advertised a techno gathering at a covered horse racetrack, with around 3,500 people expected to attend.

The large number of people present raised concerns over how the attacker managed to open fire and escape.

Police sealed off parts of the area while investigators worked at the scene and continued their search.

The incident has shocked a country where gun ownership is relatively widespread but serious shooting attacks remain uncommon.

Rare violence in Switzerland

Switzerland has one of the highest rates of civilian gun ownership in Europe, partly reflecting its system of military service and widespread access to firearms.

Despite this, violent gun attacks are relatively rare compared with many other countries.

The country tightened its firearms regulations in 2019 following changes to European gun-control rules, including stricter requirements surrounding certain weapons.

Sunday’s shooting has nevertheless renewed attention on public safety at large gatherings, particularly events attended by thousands of young people.

As the manhunt continued, police maintained a heightened presence in Aarau and surrounding areas.

Authorities urged residents and visitors to follow police instructions and provide investigators with any information that could help identify the person responsible.

For those who had gathered expecting a night of music and celebration, the event instead ended in tragedy, leaving one young woman dead, five people injured and an entire community waiting for answers.