Aarau care team supported shooting survivors for days
Thursday 17th September 2026 on 20:00 in
Switzerland
Aargau’s care team continued receiving calls from people affected by the Aarau shooting for days after the attack, SRF reported. A 22-year-old woman was killed and six people were injured when a gunman opened fire after a rave party in late August.
The suspected attacker, a 43-year-old man from the canton of Jura, was arrested two days later. Many questions, including the motive, remain open.
The shooting took place at around 3 a.m. on a Sunday near the horse-racing track in Aarau’s Schachen district. The suspected attacker allegedly fired more than 40 rounds from an assault rifle at more than 100 people still attending the event.
More than 100 people who witnessed the attack were taken to the Schachen sports hall near the scene. Around 20 members of the Aargau care team provided psychological support there.
Fabian Niederberger, head of the Aargau Cantonal Disaster Response Element, said he was asleep when the alarm came. At first, it was unclear what had happened, and responders initially expected 11 or more injured people.
Martin Platzer led the care team operation. He said he knew while travelling to the scene that the team would only be sent in once the situation was safe.
Platzer said he did not sense panic in the sports hall. The situation was clear and calm, he said, and the team focused on supporting groups of people.
Many survivors wanted information about what had happened. Others were in shock. Platzer said shock could take different forms, including silence. In such cases, care workers listen, remain present and help people regain stability.
Many people wanted to go home after the party and the shooting. Platzer said he continued receiving calls in the days that followed. He said this was normal, but people whose memories continued to trouble them after four weeks were referred to appropriate specialist services.
Care team members also need professional distance during major incidents, Platzer said. After an operation, each member needs time to recover and return from the role of responder to normal life. The helpers serve voluntarily in their free time.