The suspect in what German authorities described as an “Islamist terror attack” at Berlin’s Pride celebrations was shot dead by police following a significant manhunt Sunday.
At least one individual was killed and 29 others injured in Saturday’s vehicle-ramming and stabbing attack at Tiergarten park, close to the crowded LGBTQ+ occasion.
The attack follows a number of incidents in recent times by which autos have been pushed into crowds in Germany, fueling renewed debate over immigration amid rising assist for the far-right.
Here’s what we know in regards to the attack and suspect:
German authorities launched a significant manhunt after an attacker drove a van right into a crowd close to Saturday’s Pride celebrations earlier than stabbing a number of individuals with a machete.
Police recognized the suspect as Abdul B., a 21-year-old, German citizen of Lebanese background who was born in Germany in 2005, and revealed his footage, asking the general public for any data on his whereabouts.
Abdul B. was recognized to police “as a member of Islamic circles” in Berlin and sought to hitch the Islamic State group, the Associated Press reported, citing German prosecutors.
The AP reported that Abdul B. traveled to Lebanon in 2025 intending to succeed in Syria and be a part of the Islamic State group. He was arrested there and served three months in jail for offenses together with inciting non secular and sectarian battle.
After returning to Germany, a Berlin juvenile court docket handed him a suspended sentence of 1 12 months and 10 months for getting ready a severe act of violence and publishing Islamic State propaganda. He was launched pending attraction, the AP reported, citing court docket paperwork.
The suspect was shot and killed by police throughout a confrontation at an allotment backyard advanced in Berlin’s Spandau district on Sunday.
Police stated officers situated the suspect on the advanced at round 6 p.m. native time. He allegedly rushed towards them with a stabbing weapon, prompting members of Berlin’s SEK tactical police unit to open hearth.
Despite speedy makes an attempt by first responders to resuscitate him, he died on the scene, police stated.
On Saturday night, a person driving a van carried out a lethal ramming and stabbing attack close to Berlin’s largest LGBTQ+ occasion.
The automobile struck a number of individuals strolling within the Tiergarten park in central Berlin, close to the route of the Pride parade however outdoors the official occasion space.
Police stated the attack started shortly earlier than 10 p.m., when the van was pushed into the park.
“There was a dull bang… after that, there were a few noises,” an eyewitness stated.
“At first, we couldn’t make out what the screams had been, due to the get together, the music, and the environment.
“We only realized later exactly what was going on, when the police cleared the park with machine guns and asked us to go home.”
The automobile was later discovered deserted after having crashed right into a tree.
In a submit on X after the attack, police known as on everybody to go away the realm instantly as ambulances and firefighters attended to the victims.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday afternoon, German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt described the incident as an “Islamist terror attack.” One individual was killed and 29 others had been injured, some severely, he stated.
Dobrindt stated the suspect had used the automobile as a weapon earlier than allegedly attacking different individuals with what was believed to be a machete.
Police stated Sunday that not one of the injured remained in a life-threatening situation.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemned the incident as a “heinous act” and an attack on German society.
Before the attack, individuals had celebrated peacefully, marching via town for hours, dancing to loud music and cheering as round 80 floats traveled alongside the parade route.
Berlin has lengthy had a popularity as being a world capital for LGBTQ+ rights. The metropolis hosted its first Christopher Street Day parade, also referred to as Berlin Pride, in 1979. The annual celebration, some of the influential Pride occasions in Europe, attracts round 1 million supporters and advocates for the rights, visibility and equal remedy of lesbian, homosexual, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer individuals.
Alfonso Pantisano, the Berlin state authorities’s LGBTQ affairs commissioner, wrote on Instagram within the wake of the attack, “To you, my dear community: I know that many of you are afraid right now. I won’t sugarcoat it – I am, too. But you are not alone in this fear, in your grief, and in your anger.”
German rapper Ikkimel, who carried out on the opening evening of Berlin Pride on the Brandenburg Gate Friday, additionally posted a message of solidarity on Instagram: “Love is never the mistake, fear and hate never an answer,” she wrote.
“Please please stay strong. I will always stand up for us.”
Delivering an handle Sunday within the aftermath of the attack, Merz promised there can be penalties and stated Germany would stay united regardless of its political variations. “We will think about consequences; we will defend our freedom,” the chancellor stated.
Earlier Sunday, Merz wrote on X, “Hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world were peacefully celebrating at Christopher Street Day. They wanted us to treat each other with kindness and tolerance.” He continued, “We are open and freedom-loving – and we will preserve and defend that.” He pledged that the attack can be investigated and pursued with the “utmost severity.”
Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner expressed shock, saying that “following a peaceful and vibrant Pride parade, the rally for a tolerant and peaceful Berlin was attacked in the most brutal manner.”
He added, “Berlin is the city of freedom – and our freedom has been attacked in the most horrific way today. My thoughts are with the victims, their families and friends.”
The metropolis additionally activated a disaster hotline for individuals unable to find associates or members of the family.
Overall, greater than 2,200 police officers had been deployed throughout Berlin since Saturday morning to guard the Pride parade and different LGBTQ+ occasions within the metropolis, Reuters reported.