Armed police officers patrol near the Schachen horse racing track in Aarau following a shooting during a rave event near Aarau, Switzerland, Sunday, August 30, 2026. © Michael Buholzer, Keystone via AP

Police arrest Swiss man over after deadly rave shooting

· France 24

Swiss police ​said on Monday that they had arrested a ​43-year-old Swiss man in relation to a deadly shooting at a rave in the town of ​Aargau ‌on the weekend.

A 22-year-old Italian ⁠woman was killed and five people wounded after the shooting ‌at an event at a covered horse ⁠race track in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Police launched a massive operation ​and just before 1am on Monday ‌arrested a 43-year-old Swiss man on suspicion of carrying out the attack, it said.

"Investigations into the ‌exact circumstances of the incident, as well as its background ​and possible motive, are currently underway. At this stage, it is assumed that a single perpetrator ​was involved," police in the canton of ​Aargau said in a statement.

‘A very rare event in Switzerland’

To display this content from YouTube, you must enable advertisement tracking and audience measurement.

Accept Manage my choices

One of your browser extensions seems to be blocking the video player from loading. To watch this content, you may need to disable it on this site.

Try again

Cover image: Rave party turns deadly REUTERS - Romina Amato

Cartridges found at the crime scene indicated two calibres of ⁠bullets, possibly from a pistol, as well as a second, larger ⁠weapon – potentially an ​assault rifle, police said.

In a statement earlier Monday, the cantonal police said that partygoers were preparing to go home when several shots were fired "at a group of people".

On Sunday, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said two Italians were among those wounded.

But the Aargau police said on Monday that those hurt were four Swiss men and a German woman, aged between 24 and 31.

The casualties were taken to hospital "with injuries ranging from minor to serious", police said. Police said the Italian woman had died instantly despite efforts to resuscitate her.

Aargau police said that they plan to hold a news conference on Wednesday and won't release further information until then.

Public shootings are rare in the Alpine country despite relatively widespread gun ownership.

(FRANCE 24 with Reuters, AFP and AP)