Berlin Pride attacker killed in police operation after nationwide manhunt: Report

The suspect in the Berlin Christopher Street Day attack was reported shot dead during a police operation in Spandau after a nationwide manhunt. The development came as the city mourned the victims and Pride organisers urged calm amid a widening terrorism probe.

In Short

• A minivan struck revellers near Tiergarten, killing one and injuring 29
• Authorities said the attacker also used a machete before fleeing
• Investigators probed possible accomplices after reports more than one person emerged

The man suspected of carrying out the deadly attack near Berlin's Christopher Street Day (CSD) celebrations, identified by police as 21-year-old Abdul B, was shot dead during a police operation in the city's Spandau district, according to German broadcaster rbb.

Abdul B, who had been the focus of a nationwide manhunt since Saturday night, was reportedly killed at an allotment garden complex in the Berlin suburb. Berlin police did not immediately comment on the report.

The development came less than a day after a minivan ploughed into a crowd near one of Europe's largest LGBTQ Pride celebrations, killing one person and injuring 29 others. German authorities had earlier described Abdul B as a known Islamist who fled the scene after the attack.

SUSPECT KILLED AFTER CITYWIDE MANHUNT

German authorities had launched an extensive search operation after the attack unfolded near Berlin's Tiergarten park, close to the Brandenburg Gate, at around 10 pm (local time) on Saturday.

Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt had earlier said investigators believed the incident was an act of Islamist terrorism.

"Everything we see here indicates that we are dealing with an Islamist terrorist attack," Dobrindt told reporters.

He said the suspect was a 21-year-old German citizen of Lebanese heritage who had previously come to the attention of authorities due to repeated criminal offences, radicalisation and links to the Islamist scene.

Police identified him as Abdul B and released his photograph while urging the public not to approach him.

Security sources told Reuters that the suspect had been released from juvenile detention only two months ago. He was also known to Germany's domestic intelligence services and was among hundreds of individuals classified as potentially dangerous because of concerns over extremist activities. Authorities said the attacker not only drove the rented van into pedestrians but also assaulted several people with a bladed weapon believed to be a machete before fleeing.

Investigators were also examining whether he acted alone. Police had earlier said more than one person may have exited the vehicle after the crash, while broadcaster RBB reported that an Iranian passenger had been taken into custody.

The attack happened on the sidelines of Berlin's annual Christopher Street Day celebrations, one of Europe's biggest LGBTQ Pride events, where thousands had gathered for the closing festivities.

Emergency crews rushed to the scene after the van crashed into a crowd before coming to a stop against a tree. The Berlin fire service said three of the injured remained in life-threatening condition, while dozens of others sustained injuries of varying severity. Television footage from the scene showed the badly damaged white delivery van lodged against a tree in Tiergarten park.

THOUSANDS GATHER TO MOURN

As investigators continued their work, thousands of Berlin residents gathered at the Brandenburg Gate to mourn the victims. Many carried rainbow flags, laid flowers and lit candles in memory of those affected. Others embraced one another in silence, while placards reading "Hatred kills" reflected the grief and anger felt across the city.

Ahead of a memorial service at St Mary's Church, Chancellor Friedrich Merz appealed for unity and urged Germans not to allow violence to undermine the country's democratic values.

"We will defend the freedom, openness, and liberal spirit of our lives and our society with everything we can do," he said.

PRIDE ORGANISERS URGE CALM

Organisers of Berlin's Christopher Street Day also appealed for restraint as investigations continued.

The CSD Association warned against drawing premature conclusions or allowing the attack to be used to deepen political divisions.

"We don't want this act to be exploited for political purposes or for people to be placed under general suspicion," a spokesperson told journalists in Berlin.

"Such violence is an attempt to divide our society."

Their appeal came as political leaders and parties began reacting to the attack, which occurred at a politically sensitive time for Germany.

- Ends