A suspect involved in a deadly van ramming attack during Berlin’s Pride event was shot dead by police during a confrontation, authorities confirmed. The incident occurred near the Brandenburg Gate in the Tiergarten park on Saturday night, close to one of Europe’s largest LGBTQ celebrations, Christopher Street Day. One person was killed and 29 others injured in the attack, according to police reports.
The suspect, identified as Abdul Ballout, a German citizen with Lebanese roots, was killed during a 24-hour search following the attack. Prosecutors stated that Ballout had previously attempted to join the militant Islamic State group. Police conducted a raid on a garden shed in the Spandau district, where they confronted Ballout, who was reportedly armed and considered a danger to the public.
Multiple news outlets reported the incident, with some citing that Ballout was shot dead during the operation. German officials described the attack as an “Islamic terror attack,” highlighting the potential link to extremist groups. The police have issued warnings about the suspect’s dangerous nature and are continuing their investigation into the motive behind the attack.
