Archive · 31 Aug 2026
Rare Aarau Shooting Raises Questions About Switzerland’s Gun Culture
A shooting happened at a music festival in Aarau, Switzerland.
It took place late at night after many people had left.
Six people in their 20s were hit by bullets.
One of them, a 22-year-old woman named Maria Spinelli, died.
Five other people were injured.
Police do not yet know who carried out the shooting.
Investigators say the victims did not appear to know one another.
Police are searching for the suspected attackers and have not finished the investigation.
A shooting at an electronic music festival in Aarau on August 30 killed a 22-year-old woman and injured five others.
The festival took place at the Schachen horse racing track in Northern Switzerland.
All six victims were reportedly in their 20s, and the crowd had thinned when the shooting occurred.
Maria Spinelli, an Italian national, died after being shot in the back.
The perpetrators remain unidentified, and police are conducting a manhunt while investigating the case.
- Who
- A 22-year-old woman, five other people, unidentified perpetrators, and local police were involved.
- What
- A shooting killed one person and injured five others at an electronic music festival.
- When
- August 30, later into the night.
- Where
- The Schachen horse racing track in Aarau, in Northern Switzerland.
- Why
- The motive is not stated; preliminary investigations found no known connection among the victims.
- Location
- Schachen horse racing track, Aarau, Switzerland
- Date
- August 30
- Deaths
- One 22-year-old woman
- Injuries
- Five people
- Victim
- Maria Spinelli, an Italian national
- Suspects
- The perpetrators remain unidentified
- Police response
- A manhunt and preliminary investigation are ongoing