Berlin Pride attack suspect shot and killed in police operation

The fatal police engagement in Berlin’s west ended the month‑long manhunt of Abdul Ballout, a 21‑year‑old German citizen of Lebanese background, who had rushed a white van into a crowd during the Pride parade.

Ballout was shot by officers while standing on a street in Spandau, Spandau police officials said. The clash followed a vehicle collision near Tiergarten park early Sunday evening that left one person dead and caused dozens of injuries.

Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt told reporters that the attack was carried out by someone with extremist motives and that the suspect had a long criminal record that included attempts to join the Islamic State in Syria.

He highlighted Ballout’s travel to Turkey, Lebanon and Syria, his attempts to meet potential militant contacts, and a prison sentence for incitement that lasted three months. In November he was arrested on arrival at Berlin–Brandenburg Airport and later received a year and ten months penalty for “preparing a serious act of violence.”

The attack halted what is the European pride celebration. The transit of the Christopher Street Day parade was cancelled and a planned clean‑up in the Tiergarten park was called off. The LGBT community gathered at the Brandenburg Gate for a spontaneous vigil that condemned extremism and critiqued recent budget cuts for queer organisations.

Police officers at the scene of the Berlin Pride attack

The German federal government raised its threat level following the incident and briefed other states to review security at major events. Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited the site and pledged to protect freedom and openness from “poison of terrorism.”

Police have identified the attack spot on Ahornsteig street, a path running through dense trees in the Tiergarten park. Medical reports indicate that the injured are no longer in a life‑threatening condition.

No official apology or compensation has been provided by the government to the victims, but a speech outside a church service showed a determination to affirm solidarity with the LGBT community.