Police fatally shot the individual identified by German officials as the perpetrator of an “Islamist terror attack” during the Pride festivities in Berlin after an extensive search on Sunday.
The assault, which involved a vehicle ramming and subsequent stabbings at Tiergarten park, resulted in one fatality and left 29 others injured during the busy LGBTQ+ event on Saturday.
This incident follows a series of similar attacks in Germany over recent years, where vehicles have been driven into crowds, igniting discussions about immigration issues amid a rise in far-right sentiments.
Here’s what we know about the suspect and the attack:
A major manhunt
Following the attack, German law enforcement initiated a significant search effort after a van was driven into a crowd near the Pride festivities, followed by a stabbing spree involving a machete.
The suspect was identified as Abdul B., a 21-year-old German national with Lebanese heritage, born in Germany in 2005. Authorities released images of him, seeking the public’s assistance in locating him.
Abdul B. had prior knowledge to police as being involved with “Islamic circles” in Berlin and had aspirations to join the Islamic State group, according to reports from the Associated Press citing German prosecutors.
Reports indicate that Abdul B. traveled to Lebanon in 2025 with the intention of reaching Syria to connect with the Islamic State group. He was apprehended in Lebanon and incarcerated for three months for various charges, including inciting religious and sectarian discord.
Upon his return to Germany, a juvenile court in Berlin imposed a suspended sentence of one year and ten months for his involvement in preparing a significant act of violence and distributing propaganda for the Islamic State. He was released while awaiting an appeal, as per court documents cited by the AP.
The suspect was shot dead by police during an encounter at a community garden area in Berlin’s Spandau district on Sunday.
Authorities reported that the suspect was found at the location around 6 p.m. local time. He allegedly charged at officers with a stabbing implement, prompting the tactical police unit to fire at him.
Despite immediate efforts by emergency personnel to revive him, he was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police reports.
‘Islamist terror attack’
On Saturday night, a man drove a van into a crowd, followed by a stabbing attack near Berlin’s largest LGBTQ+ event.
The vehicle struck multiple individuals in Tiergarten park, located in central Berlin, adjacent to the Pride parade route but outside the designated event area.
Police indicated that the assault commenced just before 10 p.m. when the van entered the park.
“There was a loud bang… followed by a series of noises,” reported a witness.
“Initially, we couldn’t discern the source of the screams due to the music and the festive atmosphere. It was only later that we understood the severity of the situation, as police cleared the area with machine guns and instructed us to leave,” the witness recounted.
The vehicle was later discovered abandoned after colliding with a tree.
In a statement on X following the attack, police urged the public to evacuate the area promptly as medical teams tended to the victims.
According to Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner, one of the victims who died was a Polish citizen visiting the city with her daughter, as reported by the AP.
USdaily has reached out to the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a response.
In a press conference on Sunday afternoon, German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt labeled the incident an “Islamist terror attack.”
Dobrindt noted that the suspect had utilized the vehicle as a weapon before proceeding to assault others with what appeared to be a machete.
Authorities confirmed on Sunday that no individuals among the injured are in critical condition.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemned the act as a “despicable incident” and denounced it as an assault on the fabric of German society.
Pride celebrations interrupted
Prior to the attack, participants had enjoyed a peaceful celebration, marching through the city for several hours, dancing to lively music, and cheering on approximately 80 floats along the parade route.
Berlin has long been recognized as a leading global center for LGBTQ+ rights. The city held its inaugural Christopher Street Day parade, commonly referred to as Berlin Pride, in 1979. This annual event, regarded as one of Europe’s most significant Pride celebrations, attracts around one million attendees advocating for the rights, visibility, and equal treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals.
Following the attack, Alfonso Pantisano, the LGBTQ affairs commissioner for the Berlin state government, shared a message on Instagram: “To you, my dear community: I understand that many of you are feeling afraid right now. I won’t sugarcoat it — I am too. But you are not alone in this fear, grief, and anger.”
German artist Ikkimel, who performed at the Brandenburg Gate during the Pride opening night on Friday, also expressed solidarity on Instagram, stating, “Love is never the mistake; fear and hate are never the answer,” adding, “Please stay strong. I will always advocate for us.”
In his address on Sunday following the attack, Chancellor Merz assured that there would be repercussions and emphasized Germany’s unity despite political differences. “We will consider the consequences; we will defend our freedoms,” he stated.
Earlier on Sunday, Merz tweeted: “Hundreds of thousands from all over the globe celebrated peacefully at Christopher Street Day. They wished for kindness and tolerance among us.” He continued, “We are a society that embraces openness and freedom — and we will protect and uphold that.” He vowed that the incident would be thoroughly investigated and pursued with the “greatest severity.”
Wegner expressed his shock, stating that “after a peaceful and lively Pride parade, the rally advocating for a tolerant and peaceful Berlin was viciously attacked.”
He added, “Berlin is a city of freedom — and today our freedom has been brutally attacked. My thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones.”
The city has also set up a crisis hotline for those trying to reach friends or family members.
Since Saturday morning, more than 2,200 police officers have been deployed throughout Berlin to ensure the safety of the Pride parade and other LGBTQ+ events in the city, as reported by Reuters.
