A 22-year-old woman died and five others were injured, some critically, following a shooting at a rave party in Aarau, Switzerland.
Police confirmed that all victims were Swiss residents in their 20s, and a 23-year-old Swiss man of Albanian origin was later arrested in connection with the incident, which authorities believe stemmed from a dispute between two groups.
The incident occurred around 2:30 AM on Sunday, May 28, 2017, shortly after music ceased at the “Techno-Classics” party, which was held at a covered horse racetrack and was expected to draw approximately 3,500 attendees.
A witness initially mistook the gunshots for fireworks, with some attendees seeking cover behind the DJ booth, while one woman attempting to hide behind a refrigerator was tragically struck by a bullet in the back, identified as an innocent bystander in the altercation.
Police have intensified security in Aarau and surrounding areas, urging the public to submit any photos or videos that could aid the ongoing investigation.
Although Switzerland has one of the highest rates of gun ownership in Europe due to its unique militia system where many men keep their army-issued rifles at home, incidents of violent shootings, particularly those involving innocent bystanders at public events, remain exceptionally rare.