Neighbors describe Aarau suspect’s secluded life in Jura village

Residents of Montsevelier, a village of about 500 people in Jura canton, said the man suspected of killing a woman and injuring six others in Aarau lived quietly and withdrawn. SRF reported that police have sealed the door of his apartment.

The 43-year-old Swiss man moved into the apartment about two years ago after previously living with his parents, neighbor Madeleine Champion said. Her family had rented him the apartment.

“He did not want to talk to anyone and was very reserved,” Champion said. She said he was rarely seen except when smoking outside, and that he never had visitors apart from occasional visits by his mother.

Champion said she had never suspected that he might have weapons at home. The man is under strong suspicion of firing at people during a rave in Aarau, including with a Kalashnikov, a semi-automatic assault rifle. “When I found out, I could not sleep that night,” she said.

Other residents said they were surprised to learn that the suspect lived in the village. Neighbors said they knew nothing about alleged psychological problems and described him as closed off.

Dominique Chételat said newcomers in the village were often not known or integrated into community life. Residents remain shocked, while the motive for the attack is still completely unclear.