A pride event in Berlin turns deadly, and police identify the suspect
A car plowed into a crowd near a Pride event in Berlin on Saturday evening, killing one person and injuring 16 others. Police launched a manhunt for a suspect identified as a known Islamist.The attack occurred at around 10pm near the Brandenburg Gate, close to one of Europe’s largest annual gay pride celebrations, Christopher Street Day. Emergency services said eight people were seriously injured, three of them in a critical condition.
The vehicle, described as a white Citroen Space Tourer delivery van, entered the Tiergarten and struck several people before stopping after colliding with a tree.
Police added that some of the injured had stab wounds.
Christopher Street Day organizers have canceled the rest of the events, including the cleanup and breakfast market. The Pride celebration itself, which usually attracts about a million people, has also been cancelled.German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said: “This cowardly and despicable attack on people celebrating peace shook me to my core.”
He added: “We will do everything in our power to quickly investigate this horrific act and bring those responsible to justice.”
Police identify the suspect’s name and expand the scope of the chase
Berlin police identified the suspect as Abdul B., 21, who was previously known to authorities as part of the “Islamic spectrum.” He is described as thin, about 1.9 meters tall, with black hair, and was last seen wearing a black hooded shirt and white pants.Police warned that he may be “armed and dangerous” and urged the public not to approach him.
The manhunt expanded throughout Berlin.It remains unclear whether the perpetrator acted alone. Police said more than one person may have gotten out of the car after it stopped. Officers were seen searching the woods for evidence.The attack comes at a sensitive time for Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s unpopular coalition government, with state elections scheduled to be held within two months. The far-right Alternative for Germany party, which campaigns on immigration and security, was quick to comment.
“We will not allow religious extremists to divide our country with violence and intolerance!” Tino Shruppala, co-chair of the Alternative for Germany party, said:
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