Rome, August 30, 2026 – A 22-year-old Italian girl, Maria Spinelli, died and 5 other people (4 men and one woman, two Italians and three Swiss aged between 24 and 27) were injured in the shooting that took place last night during a rave party at the Schachen racetrack, in Aarau, in the canton of Aargau, in Switzerland. According to authorities, gunshots were fired at the crowd. It is not currently clear who fired or the dynamics of the event.
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The two Italian citizens, slightly injured, have already been able to return home, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The 22-year-old victim of the shooting was originally from Atri, in Abruzzo. She worked in Switzerland.
The police hypotheses
The police currently consider three possible scenarios: a terrorist attack, an act of madness or a criminal act with a motive still unknown. “At the moment all hypotheses are considered equally probable,” explained Commander Leupold during a press conference. – “It is not excluded” that more than one person opened fire,” he added.
The police found traces of ammunition belonging to two different weapons. One of these is used in long guns, such as assault rifles, said operations manager Matthias Schildknecht to the media. These elements were established thanks to the discovery of shell casings at the crime scene. The other traces of ammunition appear to belong to 9 mm caliber weapons.
Since 3 a.m. this morning, a large police operation is underway to identify the author or authors of the shooting. A Super Puma army helicopter is also in action. The German police are also participating in the search, as reported by the dpa news agency.
Condolences for the 22-year-old
“I express my deepest condolences for the death of Maria Spinelli, the young Italian who was a victim of the tragic shooting in Aarau, Switzerland,” said Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. “My thoughts,” she added, “also go to the other injured, including two Italian citizens, and to all those involved in this dramatic event. We are closely following developments through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and our diplomatic representations, trusting in the work of the Swiss authorities to shed full light on the incident and identify those responsible.”
Joining the condolences is the president of the Abruzzo region, Marco Marsilio: “I express, on behalf of myself and the entire Abruzzo Regional Council, the deepest condolences for the tragic passing of Maria Spinelli, a young woman originally from Atri and residing in Città Sant’Angelo, who was a victim of the shooting in Aarau, Switzerland.” “In this moment of immense pain,” he continues, “the Abruzzo Region stands with affection and participation with her family, friends, and the communities of Atri and Città Sant’Angelo, deeply affected by this dramatic event. Our thoughts also go to the other injured and all those involved. We hope that the Swiss authorities can shed full light on the incident and bring those responsible to justice.”
An Italian task force, led by the Chargé d’Affaires of the Italian Embassy in Bern and sent to Aarau by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, is working to assist the families of the Italians involved in the shooting and closely follow developments and investigations, in coordination with the Swiss authorities, as reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs itself.
Hunt for the attackers and checkpoints
According to an initial reconstruction, the shots were fired by one or more attackers before 3 a.m. near the Aarauer Rave, an annual techno party attended by about 3,500 people at the city’s racetrack.
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“The possible motives and the exact circumstances of the event still need to be clarified.” The police did not specify how many attackers are being sought nor what type of weapon was used. All victims reside in Switzerland. A large operation has been launched in the area and surrounding zones.
Armed officers deployed along the highway up to 30 kilometers from the shooting site. According to local media, an army helicopter was also used in the search, along with numerous officers, rescuers, and medical teams. The area around the racetrack has been cordoned off and isolated.
Witnesses: “They sounded like fireworks”
Witnesses cited by the newspaper Blick reported that the shots were fired around 2:30 a.m., while the party was still ongoing. Initially, many participants thought it was fireworks, but one of those present later said he heard “bursts of gunfire”. Many people took refuge in a nearby gym.
On social media, testimonies from those present are multiplying, especially from the artists performing in Aarau. Many express their shock, writes RTS (Radio Télévision Suisse Romande) on its website. Several speak of the loss of a ‘friend,’ suggesting that the victim might belong to the circle of organizers or artists.
The police: “Stay away from the area”
The police have urged the public to stay away from the area and asked participants to provide videos and photographs related to the event, indicating their Instagram channel for collecting images. The message posted on X reads: “Aarau: gunshots during the night at an event in Schachen. Several victims. A large police operation is underway. Stay away from the area. Videos and images can be sent to the Instagram channel of the Aargau cantonal police. Further information will follow.”
The area around the racetrack has been cordoned off and isolated, with firefighters also present on site. The police are conducting identity checks on anyone in the area.
In the evening, at a press conference, Commander Leupold of the Aargau police said the situation “is under control” after the shooting and that “there is no information” indicating the attacker “may still pose a risk.”
The precedent
Mass shootings are rare in Switzerland despite the widespread presence of firearms. The last serious episode dates back to 2001, when a man killed 14 members of the Zug cantonal parliament and government before taking his own life. Swiss army reservists can keep weapons but not ammunition in their homes. According to the Geneva Small Arms Survey, in 2017 civilians owned over 2.3 million firearms, nearly three for every ten inhabitants. This placed Switzerland sixteenth worldwide in terms of firearms per capita.
