German officials confirmed that the suspected Islamist terrorist who drove a van into a crowd near Berlin's Pride festival and then went on a knife rampage has been shot dead by police. The suspect, identified as 21-year-old Abdul Ballout, a German national with Lebanese roots, was killed during an operation at an allotment garden complex in the capital's Spandau district on Sunday evening.
Fatal Attack and Manhunt
One woman was killed and 29 others injured on Saturday evening when a man drove a rented minivan into pedestrians in Tiergarten park near the Brandenburg Gate, then attacked people with what appeared to be a machete. The attack occurred around 10pm local time, close to one of Europe's biggest LGBTQ+ celebrations, forcing organisers to cut short the Pride event. A massive manhunt involving helicopters and officers from several German states ensued.
Police and prosecutors had publicly appealed for help finding Ballout, warning he was armed and dangerous. Officers searched an apartment in Schöneberg near the attack scene but found no one there before locating him in Spandau.
Suspect's Background
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt told a press conference that Ballout had previously drawn attention through criminal offences, radicalisation, and affiliation with the Islamist scene. He had a criminal conviction and was sentenced as a juvenile to one year and 10 months in prison, suspended. German media reported Ballout was an Islamic State supporter who travelled to the Middle East last year in a failed attempt to join the group and was convicted of “preparing a serious act of subversive violence.”
Ballout's father, Tawfik, spoke to Der Spiegel from Lebanon, describing his son as “generous, emotional, loving” but said they argued about his long beard, which he saw as a symbol of extremism. Asked about a motive, he said: “He was brainwashed.” Tawfik noted the family is Shia but not extremely religious and does not support Islamic State.
Official Reactions
Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged Germany to avoid division and intimidation, vowing to punish those responsible and describing the attack as a “heinous act” and “an attack on our society.” The flag at the Bundestag was ordered to be lowered to half-mast. Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner called it “an attack on our free and cosmopolitan society.” European leaders, including those from France, Italy, and the UK, offered solidarity. The European Commission president expressed deepest sympathy.
The Pride parade, known in Germany as Christopher Street Day (CSD), had drawn hundreds of thousands earlier on Saturday under the motto “taking a stand is hot,” in response to rising hostility. Far-right leaders also commented, with AfD co-leader Tino Chrupalla stating they would not allow religious extremists to divide the country.
