In brief
The 21‑year‑old German citizen Abdul Ballout, who is alleged to have carried out a Islamist‑terrorist ramming of a truck into a Pride crowd in Tiergarten park, was shot and killed by police in Spandau. The attack left one woman dead and at least thirty injured, and sparked a manhunt that ended when Ballout tried to flee with a knife. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt called the incident extremist and announced Germany’s threat level would be raised, while Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited the scene to pledge protection of freedom and openness. Community leaders condemned the violence and demanded stronger safety measures for queer organisations.
Police on Sunday afternoon confirmed that Abdul Ballout, the 21‑year‑old German citizen suspected of ramming a truck into a crowd during the Berlin Pride festival, died after being shot in a confrontation in the Spandau district.
The attack erupted late on Saturday night when a white van struck the procession in Tiergarten park, killing one woman and leaving at least 29 injured. An armed escort followed by police later uncovered that Ballout—once unarrested—was trying to flee with a knife, and officers fired.
Authorities describe the incident as an Islamist‑radicalised extremist act. Ballout had a history of criminal offences, including attempts to link with ISIS while in Lebanon, and had been sentenced to prison for incitement to religious conflict.
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said the country would raise its threat level and urged other states to review security for major events. Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited the scene and pledged to defend freedom and openness.
Community leaders condemned the violence and called for support to queer organisations. Some returned to the Brandenburg Gate to mourn and to speak against extremism, demanding stronger protection for LGBT communities.
