Police in Berlin have identified a suspect in the van ramming incident that occurred during an LGBT Pride event, resulting in one death and 16 injuries. The suspect, 21-year-old Abdul Ballout, a German citizen of Lebanese descent, is reportedly associated with Islamist circles. Authorities have requested public assistance in locating him, advising caution as he may be armed and dangerous.
The incident took place around 10 p.m. local time on Saturday when a white van drove into a crowd at Tiergarten park, near the Brandenburg Gate. The attack ended when the vehicle collided with a tree. Among the injured, three individuals are reported to be in critical condition, while eight sustained serious injuries and five had minor injuries. The driver fled the scene after the crash.
Police conducted a raid on an apartment in Berlin as part of the manhunt, but the suspect was not found. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemned the attack, emphasizing the need for kindness and tolerance during the Pride celebration, and stated that the act would be investigated thoroughly.