Berlin Pride attack suspect shot and killed during police operation
A 21-year-old suspect linked to a deadly vehicle ramming at Berlin Pride has been shot dead by police, with authorities treating it as an Islamist terror attack.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- The main suspect has been identified as 21-year-old German citizen Abdul Ballout of Lebanese heritage.
- The attack near Tiergarten park left one woman dead and at least 29 others injured.
- German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt confirmed evidence points to an Islamist terror attack.
- Ballout was shot dead by police in Spandau after charging at officers with a knife.
The man suspected of carrying out a deadly vehicle ramming and stabbing attack at Berlin Pride has been shot and killed by police, ending a massive manhunt. Officers opened fire when Abdul Ballout, a 21-year-old German citizen with Lebanese heritage, rushed at them with a knife in Spandau, a western borough of Berlin.
The violent rampage began just before 22:00 local time on Saturday evening when a white van was driven into a crowd near Tiergarten park, killing one woman and injuring at least 29 others. Police reported that several victims also sustained stab wounds during the chaotic aftermath of the ramming.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt stated that all available evidence pointed to the incident being an Islamist terror attack. He noted that the suspect had a documented history of criminal offenses, radicalisation, and ties to extremist networks.
"We are dealing with a suspected perpetrator, who had previously drawn attention to himself through a high volume of criminal offences, radicalisation and affiliation with the Islamist scene"
According to a statement released by the Berlin public prosecutor's office, Ballout's criminal record includes traveling via Turkey to Lebanon in May 2025 with the intention of joining the Islamic State group in Syria. He allegedly contacted individuals believed to be IS members while in Lebanon, leading to his arrest in July 2025 and a three-month prison sentence for inciting religious and sectarian conflict.
This horrific attack during Berlin Pride has sent shockwaves across Germany, directly targeting a major celebration of diversity and human rights. The incident has intensified scrutiny surrounding the monitoring of radicalised individuals and the effectiveness of preventative measures for suspects with international extremist affiliations who return to European soil.
Ballout subsequently returned to Germany in November 2025, where he was detained upon arrival at Berlin Brandenburg Airport. In May of this year, he received a one-year and ten-month prison sentence for preparing a serious act of violence endangering the state, though the sentence was deferred for six months under parole supervision. His prior convictions also include assault and robbery in 2022 and a headphone robbery in 2020.
Source: BBC World
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