Berlin Pride attack suspect shot dead by police after manhunt. Here’s what we know so far

By Laura Sharman, Chandler Thornton, Sophie Tanno, Jonny Hallam, CNN

(CNN) — The suspect in what German authorities described as an “Islamist terror attack” at Berlin’s Pride celebrations was shot dead by police following a major manhunt Sunday.

At least one person was killed and 29 others injured in Saturday’s vehicle-ramming and stabbing attack at Tiergarten park, near the crowded LGBTQ+ event.

The attack follows several incidents in recent years in which vehicles have been driven into crowds in Germany, fueling renewed debate over immigration amid rising support for the far-right.

Here’s what we know about the attack and suspect:

A major manhunt

German authorities launched a major manhunt after an attacker drove a van into a crowd near Saturday’s Pride celebrations before stabbing several people with a machete.

Police identified the suspect as Abdul B., a 21-year-old, German citizen of Lebanese background who was born in Germany in 2005, and published his pictures, asking the public for any information on his whereabouts.

Abdul B. was known to police “as a member of Islamic circles” in Berlin and sought to join the Islamic State group, the Associated Press reported, citing German prosecutors.

The AP reported that Abdul B. traveled to Lebanon in 2025 intending to reach Syria and join the Islamic State group. He was arrested there and served three months in prison for offenses including inciting religious and sectarian conflict.

After returning to Germany, a Berlin juvenile court handed him a suspended sentence of one year and 10 months for preparing a serious act of violence and publishing Islamic State propaganda. He was released pending appeal, the AP reported, citing court documents.

The suspect was shot and killed by police during a confrontation at an allotment garden complex in Berlin’s Spandau district on Sunday.

Police said officers located the suspect at the complex at around 6 p.m. local time. He allegedly rushed toward them with a stabbing weapon, prompting members of Berlin’s SEK tactical police unit to open fire.

Despite immediate attempts by first responders to resuscitate him, he died at the scene, police said.

‘Islamist terror attack’

On Saturday evening, a man driving a van carried out a deadly ramming and stabbing attack near Berlin’s largest LGBTQ+ event.

The vehicle struck several people walking in the Tiergarten park in central Berlin, near the route of the Pride parade but outside the official event area.

Police said the attack began shortly before 10 p.m., when the van was driven into the park.

“There was a dull bang… after that, there were a few noises,” an eyewitness said.

“At first, we couldn’t make out what the screams were, because of the party, the music, and the atmosphere.

“We only realized later exactly what was going on, when the police cleared the park with machine guns and asked us to go home.”

The vehicle was later found abandoned after having crashed into a tree.

In a post on X after the attack, police called on everyone to leave the area immediately as ambulances and firefighters attended to the victims.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday afternoon, German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt described the incident as an “Islamist terror attack.” One person was killed and 29 others were injured, some severely, he said.

Dobrindt said the suspect had used the vehicle as a weapon before allegedly attacking other people with what was believed to be a machete.

Police said Sunday that none of the injured remained in a life-threatening condition.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemned the incident as a “heinous act” and an attack on German society.

Pride celebrations interrupted

Before the attack, people had celebrated peacefully, marching through the city for hours, dancing to loud music and cheering as around 80 floats traveled along the parade route.

Berlin has long had a reputation as being a global capital for LGBTQ+ rights. The city hosted its first Christopher Street Day parade, also known as Berlin Pride, in 1979. The annual celebration, one of the most influential Pride events in Europe, draws around 1 million supporters and advocates for the rights, visibility and equal treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer people.

Alfonso Pantisano, the Berlin state government’s LGBTQ affairs commissioner, wrote on Instagram in the wake of the attack, “To you, ‌my dear community: I know ⁠that many of you are afraid right now. I won’t sugarcoat it – I am, too. But you are not alone in this fear, in your grief, and in your anger.”

German rapper Ikkimel, who performed on the opening night of Berlin Pride at the Brandenburg Gate Friday, also posted a message of solidarity on Instagram: “Love is never the mistake, fear and hate never an answer,” she wrote.

“Please please stay strong. I will always stand up for us.”

Delivering an address Sunday in the aftermath of the attack, Merz promised there would be consequences and said Germany would remain united despite its political differences. “We will think about consequences; we will defend our freedom,” the chancellor said.

Earlier Sunday, Merz wrote on X, “Hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world were peacefully celebrating at Christopher Street Day. They wanted us to treat each other with kindness and tolerance.” He continued, “We are open and freedom-loving – and we will preserve and defend that.” He pledged that the attack would be investigated and pursued with the “utmost severity.”

Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner expressed shock, saying that “following a peaceful and vibrant Pride parade, the rally for a tolerant and peaceful Berlin was attacked in the most brutal manner.”

He added, “Berlin is the city of freedom – and our freedom has been attacked in the most horrific way today. My thoughts are with the victims, their families and friends.”

The city also activated a crisis hotline for people unable to locate friends or family members.

Overall, more than 2,200 police officers had been deployed across Berlin since Saturday morning to protect the Pride parade and other LGBTQ+ events in the city, Reuters reported.

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