Swiss Man Arrested After Shooting at Rave Kills Italian Woman

Sun Sep 06 2026 06:46:26 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A 43‑year‑old Swiss man was arrested after a shooting at a techno rave in Aarau killed 22‑year‑old Italian woman Maria Spinelli and wounded several others.

The incident unfolded when shots rang out at a weekend rave near Zurich, instantly killing 22‑year‑old Italian woman Maria Spinelli and injuring five others. Swiss police conducted a 24‑hour manhunt before apprehending a 43‑year‑old suspect who is believed to have acted alone. Authorities are investigating motives and the suspect’s background. The incident has drawn international attention, with Italy’s officials reporting to Swiss authorities and calling for comprehensive transparency. It marks a stark reminder of Switzerland’s ongoing gun‑control challenges despite high ownership rates.

Swiss Man Arrested After Shooting at Rave Kills Italian Woman

A 43‑year‑old Swiss man was arrested after a shotgun “snapped” at a weekend techno rave held at the Schachen horse racing track in Aarau, which lies 46 km west of Zurich.

The gunshot instantly killed 22‑year‑old Italian student Maria Spinelli and injured four men and a woman aged between 24 and 27, who were later taken to hospital with anything from minor cuts to severe injuries.

A 24‑hour police hunt – beginning at 02:30 local time on Sunday – ended when the suspect was seized shortly before 01:00 on Monday, according to the cantonal police. Authorities say the suspect acted alone, though “the exact sequence of events” is still under investigation.

The incident has sparked international attention. Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni urged Swiss forces to “shed full light” on the tragedy, and the foreign ministry sent officials to Zurich.

Switzerland is home to one of the highest rates of gun ownership in Europe, yet shooting incidents remain rare – the last major one took place in 2001 when a gunman killed 14 members of a local parliament in Zug.