Berlin Pride attack suspect shot dead by police as one killed and 29 injured

The incident occurred over the weekend when a car drove into crowds at the Christopher Street Day celebrations

The suspect of an attack that left one dead and 29 injured at Berlin Pride celebrations over the weekend has been shot and killed by police.

21-year-old Abdul Ballout was suspected of the attack, which occurred on the evening of Saturday, July 25, at Tiergarten park amidst Christopher Street Day (CSD) celebrations – one of the largest Pride events in Europe.

A car drove into crowds during the parade, killing one woman and injuring a further 29, some of whom sustained life-threatening injuries. Over 2,000 police officers were deployed to the scene.

The suspect remained at large over the weekend. Police eventually tracked down Ballout, who they suspected of the attack, on Sunday evening (July 26) in Spandau.

According to BBC News, Ballout was seen wielding a machete and charged at emergency services personnel. He was then shot and killed by police.

Authorities believed it to be an Islamist terror attack, with officials saying that Ballout had previously tried and failed to join the Islamic State group. Police are not currently looking for other suspects.

A vigil was held on Sunday at St Mary's Church, where German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called the attack a “heinous” one, saying: "We will not allow this poison of terrorism to spread further in our society."

He continued (via The Independent): "I would like to say this to Christopher Street Day participants here in Berlin but also across Germany: Don’t let yourselves, let us not let ourselves be intimidated."

"These acts have only one purpose: They aim to divide our society. They want to take away from us the most important thing we have: Namely, our openness and our freedom."

Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Associate Digital Editor

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