Police have shot dead the chief suspect in a deadly van and knife rampage near Berlin's Pride festival, German officials confirmed on Sunday evening. The 21-year-old, identified as Abdul Ballout, was killed during an operation at an allotment garden complex in the Spandau district.
Attack details
On Saturday evening at about 10pm local time, a man drove a minivan into a crowd of pedestrians in Tiergarten park, near the Brandenburg Gate, then attacked people with what appeared to be a machete. The attack occurred close to one of Europe's largest LGBTQ+ celebrations, forcing organisers to cut short the event. One person was killed and 29 others were injured.
Suspect identification
The German interior minister, Alexander Dobrindt, named the chief suspect as Abdul Ballout, a German national with Lebanese roots. According to Dobrindt, Ballout had a criminal record, including a suspended sentence of one year and 10 months in prison, and was known for radicalisation and affiliation with the Islamist scene. German media reported that Ballout was a supporter of Islamic State and had attempted to join the group in the Middle East last year, leading to a conviction in Germany for “preparing a serious act of subversive violence”.
Police operation
Police and prosecutors had issued a public appeal for help in locating Ballout, warning he was armed and dangerous. An apartment in Schöneberg was searched early Sunday but found empty. The fatal operation in Spandau occurred later that day.
Official reactions
Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged Germany to avoid division and intimidation, stating, “We will think about consequences, we will defend our freedom.” He earlier described the attack as a “heinous act” and an “attack on our society”. The flag at the German Bundestag was ordered to be lowered to half mast. Berlin's mayor, Kai Wegner, called the assault “an attack on our free and cosmopolitan society”.
Witness accounts
Julian Methig, an attendee, said, “It's one of the worst days for the queer community and a day I personally hoped I'd never have to experience … I'm shocked.” The Pride parade, known in Germany as Christopher Street Day (CSD), had drawn hundreds of thousands of people earlier in the day.
Broader context
European leaders expressed solidarity. French President Emmanuel Macron said, “Faced with hatred and violence, our response will always be unity, freedom, and resolve.” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the CSD parade as standing for “freedom, dignity and equality – the fundamental values of the EU”.
Far-right figures also commented. AfD co-leader Tino Chrupalla wrote on X, “We will not allow religious extremists to divide our country with violence and intolerance!” The attack comes amid heightened tensions in Germany following a series of deadly vehicle and knife attacks, and a rise in support for the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD).
