Berlin police shoot and kill suspect in deadly Pride festival attack
Berlin police shot and killed the suspect behind a deadly van and knife attack at the city's Pride festival that authorities have classified as Islamist terror.
German police shot and killed the suspect in a deadly attack during Berlin’s Pride festival on Sunday after a nearly 24-hour manhunt, authorities confirmed. The 21-year-old man, identified as Abdul Ballout, a German citizen of Lebanese heritage, was found in the Spandau district and fatally wounded when he allegedly charged at officers with a knife during an arrest attempt. The incident, which unfolded hours after a van attack that left one person dead and 29 injured, has been classified as an Islamist terror act by officials.
The attack occurred on Saturday night near Berlin’s Tiergarten park, a central location for the city’s LGBTQ+ celebrations. According to police, Ballout drove a white van into a crowd before fleeing the scene. Witnesses reported that he later attacked people with a bladed weapon, wounding multiple individuals. The victims included those attending the Pride parade, which had drawn hundreds of thousands of participants. Three of the injured were in life-threatening condition, while eight others faced serious injuries, according to Berlin’s fire department.
Ballout was apprehended in Spandau after police located him at an allotment garden complex. During the confrontation, he allegedly rushed at members of the special police unit (SEK) with a weapon, prompting officers to open fire. Despite efforts by firefighters to resuscitate him, he died at the scene. Authorities described the attack as an act of “Islamist terror,” citing Ballout’s history of radicalization and prior criminal activity.
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt stated that Ballout had previously been linked to “Islamist circles” in Berlin and had a record of violent offenses. Prosecutors revealed that Ballout had attempted to join the Islamic State group in 2025, traveling to Lebanon where he was arrested and sentenced to three months in prison for incitement to religious conflict. He later returned to Germany, where he was detained at Berlin Brandenburg Airport and eventually sentenced to one year and 10 months in prison for “preparing a serious act of violence endangering the state.” His sentence was commuted to parole after serving part of his time.
Ballout’s criminal history included prior convictions for assault, robbery, and vandalism, including an incident in 2019 where he assaulted a student at a Berlin high school. In 2024, he was found guilty of distributing ISIS propaganda on social media, though the court noted he had distanced himself from the group during his trial. Earlier this year, Berlin prosecutors searched his home for firearms but found only a toy gun, leading to the case being dismissed.
The attack disrupted one of Europe’s largest LGBTQ+ events, with organizers canceling remaining celebrations and a planned clean-up at Tiergarten park. A memorial gathering was held near the crime scene, where attendees condemned extremism and called for greater support for queer communities. Some critics highlighted recent budget cuts to LGBTQ+ organizations as a contributing factor to the community’s vulnerability.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemned the attack as an “heinous act” targeting the values of “freedom, dignity, and equality.” He pledged to strengthen security at public events and reiterated that “extremists have no place in our society.” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also expressed solidarity with the victims, emphasizing that the Pride event symbolized “the right to live, love, and stand up for one’s rights without fear.”
Ballout’s motive remains under investigation, but officials have pointed to his alleged ties to Islamist networks. The Berlin public prosecutor’s office is examining his online activity, including his 2024 social media posts, to determine the scope of his radicalization. Police have not ruled out the possibility of additional suspects, though no other individuals are currently in custody.
The attack has intensified debates over counterterrorism measures in Germany, particularly following a series of recent incidents linked to far-right and Islamist extremism. Dobrindt announced plans to raise the country’s threat level and coordinate with other European nations to review security protocols for large gatherings. Meanwhile, the victims’ families and the LGBTQ+ community continue to grapple with the trauma, as Berlin seeks to reaffirm its commitment to inclusivity amid the crisis.
