Archive · 30 Aug 2026
One Killed, Five Injured in Shooting at Swiss Rave
A shooting happened at a large techno music party in Aarau, Switzerland.
One 22-year-old woman died, and five other people were hurt.
Some of those injured were seriously hurt.
The party was held at a horse-racing track and had about 3,500 visitors.
Police were called at around 2:30 in the morning.
Witnesses said some people first thought the gunshots were fireworks.
Police are still looking for the person or people who fired the shots.
They do not yet know why the shooting happened, and reports differ on whether the party was still going or had just ended.
A 22-year-old woman was killed and five people were injured, some seriously, in the shooting.
Gunfire broke out at the Schachen horse-racing track during or shortly after the Aarauer Rave techno event.
Police said the perpetrator or perpetrators remained unidentified, while the motive and exact circumstances were unclear.
Authorities were alerted at about 2:30 a.m. Sunday and launched a large-scale manhunt and search operation.
About 3,500 people attended the event, and witnesses reported bursts of gunfire initially mistaken for fireworks.
- Who
- A 22-year-old woman was killed, five people were injured, and police were seeking an unidentified perpetrator or perpetrators.
- What
- A shooting at or near the Aarauer Rave left one person dead and five others injured.
- When
- Early Sunday morning; police were alerted at about 2:30 a.m., and reports placed the shooting shortly before 3:00 a.m.
- Where
- At the Schachen horse-racing track in Aarau, in Switzerland’s canton of Aargau.
- Why
- The motive and exact circumstances remained unclear.
Official Police Findings
Witness and Media Accounts
Timing of the shooting
Official Police Findings
Police confirmed they were alerted at about 2:30 a.m. but said the exact circumstances remained unclear.
Witness and Media Accounts
Reports differed: some said the shooting happened after the rave ended, while witnesses told Blick that it occurred while the event was still underway.
Number of perpetrators
Official Police Findings
Police referred to an unknown perpetrator or perpetrators and had not identified anyone.
Witness and Media Accounts
Some social-media reports claimed multiple shooters, but those claims were unverified.
What attendees experienced
Official Police Findings
Authorities focused on securing the area, searching for suspects and collecting evidence from witnesses.
Witness and Media Accounts
Witnesses described bursts of gunfire, panic and people taking cover; some initially mistook the sounds for fireworks.
- Deaths
- One 22-year-old woman died from her injuries at the scene.
- Injuries
- Five people were injured, some seriously.
- Event
- Aarau Rave VOL. 7, an annual techno event.
- Attendance
- About 3,500 people attended.
- Location
- The event took place at a covered horse-racing track in Aarau’s Schachen district.
- Police response
- Police, firefighters, ambulances and an army helicopter were involved in a large-scale response; areas were cordoned off.
- Victims
- Police said all the victims were Swiss residents in their 20s.
- Investigation
- The suspected shooter or shooters remained at large, and police asked witnesses to provide photos or videos.
Sources
Shooting at a Rave in Switzerland Kills 1 and Injures 5
Manhunt underway after woman killed, several injured at Swiss rave shooting - Telegraph India
'Several Victims' In Shooting Near Rave Attended By 3,500 In Switzerland
One killed, five wounded in shooting at rave party in Switzerland
Manhunt underway after woman killed, several injured at Swiss rave shooting
Shooting at a rave in Switzerland kills 1 and injures 5
