At least one person was killed and five others were injured after shots were fired during an event at a horse racing track in Schachen, Aarau, Switzerland on Sunday night.
A 22-year-old woman succumbed to her injuries at the scene, while four men and a woman, aged 24 to 27, were hospitalised with injuries ranging from minor to severe, police said.
The police noted that possible motives as well as exact circumstances of the crime are still unclear and said that manhunt for the unknown perpetrator is underway.
“The Aargau Cantonal Police is deployed with a large contingent and has initiated its investigations,” police said in a post on X.
At the time of the incident, the “Aarau Rave VOL. 7” was taking place at the horse racing track in Aarau’s Schachen district, AP reported, citing SRF. The fire department cordoned off a large area around the site.
Aargau cantonal police urged residents to stay away from the area and said that a major police operation was underway.
{{/usCountry}}Aargau cantonal police urged residents to stay away from the area and said that a major police operation was underway.
{{/usCountry}}In a post on X, the police said, “Aarau: Nighttime shots at event in Schachen. Several victims. Major police operation underway. Stay away from the area. More info to follow.”
The incident occurred shortly after 2:30 am, when many visitors were at the horse racing track for the "Aarau Rave," local newspaper Blick reported. A video obtained by the newspaper showed the sound of multiple gunshots at 2:35 am. HT couldn't independently verify the authenticity of the video.
Media spokesperson for the Aargau Cantonal Police, Vanessa Rumpold, told Blick that the incident was “located at the horse racing track.”
"It is not yet clear what exactly happened," Rumpold added. The police can currently only confirm "several shots being fired at a large group of people."
The Aargau Cantonal Disaster Response Unit (KKE) and an army Super Puma helicopter were also deployed at the site, according to Blick.
Amid the ongoing operation, the police informed that the swimming pool at Aarau will remain close until further notice. It also advised visitors to stay away from Aarau Schachen.
“Due to the ongoing major police operation, Aarau Swimming Pool will remain closed until further notice. Visitors are requested to stay away from Aarau Schachen,” the police said on X.
Eyewitness account
Those at the event said that visitors of the rave initially mistook the shots for fireworks until somebody shouted “everyone down," Swiss daily Blick reported.
The newspaper added that the shooting took place right after the rave ended. Police later took all remaining visitors to a nearby gym, Blick reported.
Police said all victims have their residence in Switzerland and set up an information line for relatives and eyewitnesses: 062 835 62 62 ++