Switzerland Rave Shooting: Woman Killed, Manhunt Underway

A 22-year-old Italian woman was killed and five others were injured in a shooting at a rave in Aarau, Switzerland, in the early hours of Sunday, 30 August 2026. The Switzerland rave shooting has triggered a major manhunt across the country and into neighbouring Germany, with authorities still searching for the attacker or attackers.

What happened at the Switzerland rave shooting?

Shots were fired at around 02:30 local time during the Aarau Rave VOL. 7, an annual techno event held at the Schachen horse racing track on the banks of the River Aare. The event was billed as the canton of Aargau's largest one-day rave and drew roughly 3,500 attendees. Witnesses initially thought the gunfire was fireworks, with about ten shots captured on video. The music had just stopped when panic erupted, and revellers hid behind a DJ booth and a refrigerator.

Who was killed and injured in the Aarau rave shooting?

The victim was identified by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as Maria Spinelli, a 22-year-old Italian national. She died at the scene from her injuries. Five other people — four men and one woman aged between 24 and 27 — were taken to hospital with injuries ranging from minor to severe. All six victims were resident in Switzerland; two other Italian citizens were among the injured. 'We are deeply saddened and confident that Swiss authorities will find those responsible,' Meloni said.

Where is Aarau and what is the Aargau Rave?

Aarau is the capital of the canton of Aargau, located about 50 kilometres west of Zurich and roughly halfway between Basel and Zurich. The Schachen racecourse sits on the banks of the River Aare, near a public swimming pool and other sports facilities that were closed after the attack. The Aargau Rave techno festival has grown into one of the region's largest one-day electronic music events.

Police investigation and manhunt underway

No arrests had been reported by Sunday evening. Police spokesperson Michael Leupold said officers had no leads on suspects and could not confirm whether one or multiple perpetrators were involved, though they were not believed to still be in Aarau. Armed police were deployed nationwide, including near the German border, and German police in Freiburg joined the search. A Swiss military Super Puma helicopter was used to patrol the area. The manhunt for the Aarau shooter continued into Sunday, with authorities cordoning off large areas and appealing for images and video evidence. A helpline was set up for relatives and witnesses. DJ Tekibo, who was performing at the event, called the incident 'absolutely heartbreaking'.

Why is the Aarau shooting rare in Switzerland?

Switzerland has high rates of civilian gun ownership but records relatively few violent shootings. Following several incidents, the country tightened its gun control rules in 2019. This context makes the Aarau rave attack particularly shocking, and it is likely to renew debate over European gun control laws and security at large music events.

FAQ: Switzerland rave shooting in Aarau

How many people were killed in the Switzerland rave shooting?

One person was killed: a 22-year-old Italian woman named Maria Spinelli.

Where did the Aarau rave shooting happen?

The shooting happened at the Schachen horse racing track in Aarau, in Switzerland's Aargau canton, around 02:30 on Sunday, 30 August 2026.

Has the shooter been caught?

No. As of Sunday evening, no arrests had been reported and a manhunt was ongoing in Switzerland and Germany.

How many people were injured?

Five people were injured — four men and one woman aged 24 to 27 — with injuries ranging from minor to severe.

Is Switzerland safe for rave events?

Switzerland is generally safe, with high gun ownership but rare violent shootings. The Aarau attack is an exceptional incident, though it has raised concerns about event security.