Berlin suspect killed after van ramming near Pride march leaves one dead
Berlin, Germany—A suspect wanted in connection with a van ramming incident that killed one person and injured 29 others near Berlin's Pride march was shot dead by police on Sunday, authorities said. The suspect, identified as Abdul Ballout, a German citizen of Lebanese descent, was killed during a confrontation in a Berlin suburb after a nearly 24-hour manhunt.
The incident occurred around 10 p.m. on Saturday when a white van drove into the Tiergarten park, adjacent to the route of the earlier Pride parade, striking multiple people before crashing into a tree. Police have not confirmed whether the act was specifically targeted at the LGBTQ+ community, though the proximity to the Pride event has raised concerns. Berlin prosecutors stated that Ballout had previously expressed a desire to join the militant Islamic State group.
Authorities deployed over 2,200 police officers since Saturday morning to secure the Pride parade and related LGBTQ+ events across Berlin. The number of officers at the scene of the confrontation was not disclosed, but police described it as “a lot.”
The investigation continues, with officials examining Ballout's background and any possible accomplices. The incident has reignited debates about security at large public gatherings and the threat of extremism in Germany.
