The victim of a shooting at a rave in Switzerland has been named and pictured.
Maria Spinelli had moved to Oftringen from Italy a year ago.
The 22-year-old, who had found work as a waitress, appears to have been a regular attendee of parties and music events.
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A gunman opened fire on the crowd with an assault rifle at around 2.30am yesterday (30 August) as they enjoyed the techno event in Aarau.
Around 3,500 people were attending the rave and initially mistook the sound of the shots for fireworks as DJ Tekibo, a friend of Maria’s, was performing.
One bullet struck Maria and all attempts to save her were in vain, as reported by Need To Know.
Four men and one woman, aged between 24 and 27, were also injured. Two are Italian and their injuries are not believed to be serious.
According to witnesses, the attacker later disappeared into the woods.
German police are also assisting in the search for the killer, with the border around 40km away.
Investigators are not ruling out any possibility, including terrorism.
An eyewitness at Aarau Rave Vol. 7 said the music was gradually coming to an end and most people were heading towards the exit when the shooting began.
He told local media: “There were bangs. Most people thought they were firecrackers or fireworks – that’s what they sounded like.”
He and his friends did not initially realise what was happening when everyone suddenly started running.
At one point during the commotion, a woman next to him was “shot in the chest and had probably also been grazed in the neck”.
Despite several people at the scene attempting to resuscitate her, “the woman died in front of our eyes,” he said.
“We wanted to help, but there was nothing we could do.”
Maria was from the Roma community, was born in Atri and studied at a hotel management school in Silvi Marina.
Her mother – who is separated from Maria’s father, Elvis – became unwell when she heard the news at the family home in Città Sant’Angelo.
Professor Federico Anzelotti, who taught Maria at the hotel management school, described her as a “lively and very intelligent girl”.
He added: “She was outgoing, she radiated a joy for life, had lots of friends and was passionate about techno music.”
DJ Pencilmakesmusic, another performer at the event, wrote online: “I’m heartbroken that we lost someone dear. I’ll never ever forget that smile.”
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