Shooting at a rave in Switzerland: 22-year-old Maria Spinelli killed; manhunt underway, latest updates

A 22-year-old Italian woman was killed in a shooting at a rave in Switzerland . The victim was Maria Spinelli , originally from Atri, Abruzzo , who lived and worked in Switzerland. The incident occurred during the night between August 29th and 30th at the Schachen racecourse in Aarau , in the canton of Aargau, during the Aargau Rave, the largest event of its kind in the region with approximately 3.000 attendees. Five people were injured, two of them Italian.

The dynamics: shots fired into the crowd at dawn

The shots rang out around 2:30 a.m. , when the party was winding down and the crowd had thinned out. According to witnesses, the shots were initially mistaken for fireworks , but then people started screaming and running for cover. The attacker, armed with an assault rifle , reportedly opened fire on the crowd and then fled into the woods bordering the parking lot.

The Aargau cantonal police launched a massive search operation and urged residents to avoid the area. According to investigators, the shooters are no longer in the area and there is no danger to the public. Those still present at the scene were gathered in a gym and questioned; they numbered just over 100 people.

The victim: Maria Spinelli

Maria Spinelli was 22 years old and originally from Atri, in the province of Teramo . She had been living and working in Switzerland for some time. The young woman died at the scene from her injuries: according to witnesses, she bled to death in front of everyone else. Emergency responders attempted to resuscitate her, but there was nothing they could do.

The injured: two Italians already discharged

The shooting left five people injured : four men and a woman aged between 24 and 27, hospitalized with injuries ranging from minor to serious. Among them were two Italian citizens , who, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, suffered minor injuries and have already been able to return home.

The investigation: terrorism lead and manhunt

The Swiss anti-terrorism agency is investigating the attack , and the possibility of a terrorist attack has not been ruled out. Investigators believe the shooter was stationed outside the rave area . Shell casings from two different weapons were found at the scene : a long one, similar to an assault rifle, and a 9mm caliber one.

Aargau State Councilor Dieter Egli , head of the police department, spoke at a press conference: "We still don't know who is responsible for this act." Investigators are also considering other hypotheses, from an argument to shots fired at specific individuals, but at this stage any conclusions are premature.

The Farnesina task force and Italy's condolences

The Farnesina has activated its crisis unit and is following the case with the Italian Embassy in Bern and the Consulate General in Basel . Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has sent a task force led by the embassy's chargé d'affaires to Aarau to assist the families of the Italians involved and closely monitor the investigation.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her condolences: "My thoughts are with the young victim and all those injured. We are closely following developments, trusting in the work of the Swiss authorities to shed full light on the incident and identify those responsible."

The organizers' pain

The organizers of the Aargau Rave released a statement: "We are shocked, devastated, and saddened. A rave should always be a place of joy and love, never a place where people are killed." The cantonal police have set up a helpline for family members and witnesses: 062 835 62 62.