A night of celebration at Berlin’s Christopher Street Day Pride turned into a scene of terror when a white van plowed into a crowd in Tiergarten Park, killing one person and injuring 29 others. The suspect, identified as 21-year-old Abdul Ballout, was later shot and killed by police after allegedly attacking officers with a blade.
According to German media, Ballout was shot dead in a confrontation with police in the Spandau district. Authorities confirmed they are not searching for any other suspects. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt described the incident as “an Islamist terrorist attack,” citing the suspect’s reported ties to extremist groups.
The van reportedly entered the park around 10 p. m. , driving down Ahornsteig and striking pedestrians before crashing into a tree.
Ballout then allegedly got out and began attacking people with a machete, according to officials. One person died at the scene, and 29 others were injured, though none are currently in critical condition.
Ballout had a criminal record and was reportedly previously imprisoned in Lebanon until October of last year. Upon returning to Germany in November, he was arrested by Berlin police. Sources claim he had attempted to join the Islamic State terrorist organization.
He was recently given a suspended sentence of 1 year and 10 months, which prosecutors had appealed.
The Pride event was abruptly canceled. Attendees were told to leave calmly as an organizer took the stage to announce the premature end. Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner called the attack “a horrific assault on our free and open society.”
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the “heinous act” targeted people who only wanted to “treat each other with kindness.”
As the city mourns, questions linger about how a man with a known radicalization history was able to carry out such an attack—and what it means for safety at future public events.
