Suspect arrested after deadly shooting at rave in Switzerland

A suspect has been arrested in connection with a deadly shooting at a rave in Switzerland over the weekend, Swiss police have said.

The 43-year-old Swiss man was apprehended on Monday.

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.

In a post on X, Italy's prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, named the woman as Maria Spinelli.

"My thoughts also go to the other injured, including two Italian citizens, and to all the people involved, " she wrote.

The "Aarau Rave VOL. 7" was taking place at the horse racing track, Swiss public broadcaster SRF reported.

Swiss police launched a major operation after the shooting in the capital of the northern Swiss canton of Aargau.

"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.

"The investigation into the exact sequence of events, the background, and the possible motive is currently under way.

"At this time, it is assumed that the perpetrator acted alone."

A witness told Swiss newspaper Blick that shots were fired ‌around 2.30am local time (1.30am UK time) and that he tried unsuccessfully to resuscitate a woman who was bleeding from a gunshot wound.

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.

All victims are Swiss residents.

The town of Aarau, which has about 22,300 residents, is around 28 miles west of Zurich.

The organisers' website ⁠advertised the event as a techno party at a covered horse racetrack, with 3,500 people expected to attend.

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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".

The Aargau Racing Club, which runs the horse tracking track, expressed shock at the shooting.

"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.

Swiss DJ Tekibo, who performed at the rave, wrote on Instagram that "what happened at Aarauer rave is absolutely heartbreaking".

"Techno and raves are supposed to be a place for freedom and safety, never a place where something like this happens," he added.

(c) Sky News 2026: Suspect arrested after deadly shooting at rave in Switzerland