By Paul Joseph
The man suspected of carrying out the deadly vehicle attack near Berlin’s Christopher Street Day (CSD) Pride celebrations has been shot dead by German police following a nearly 24-hour manhunt.
Authorities identified the suspect as Abdul Ballout, a 21-year-old German citizen of Lebanese descent, who was located on Sunday evening at an allotment garden complex in Berlin’s Spandau district.
According to Berlin police, officers from the city’s Special Deployment Command (SEK) confronted the suspect at about 6:00 p.m. During the operation, Ballout allegedly charged at officers with a bladed weapon, prompting police to open fire.
Despite immediate emergency medical treatment by firefighters and paramedics, the suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.
Berlin Interior Senator Iris Spranger praised the swift response of security agencies, describing the successful location of the suspect within a day of the attack as a significant achievement.
Investigators said Ballout had previously come to the attention of security authorities and had reportedly attempted to join the Islamic State (IS) militant group, reinforcing suspicions that the attack may have been motivated by Islamist extremism.
The violence unfolded late Saturday when a white van ploughed into pedestrians in Berlin’s Tiergarten park before crashing into a tree. The incident occurred a short distance from the Pride festival’s closing celebrations near the Brandenburg Gate.
Police clarified that the attack did not take place on the official parade route or within the festival grounds but on a nearby pathway frequented by festival attendees, residents and visitors.
The incident claimed the life of one woman and left more than ten others injured, prompting a major security operation across the German capital.
On Sunday, hundreds of mourners gathered at a memorial near the Brandenburg Gate, laying flowers, candles and rainbow flags in tribute to the victims. Handwritten messages expressing solidarity and resilience were also placed at the site.
Organisers of Christopher Street Day and LGBTQ+ advocacy groups condemned the attack, describing it as a shocking assault on the queer community and reaffirming their commitment to promoting inclusion and unity despite the tragedy.
German authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack and whether the suspect acted alone or had any links to extremist networks.
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