Berlin Pride attack suspect killed by police after 20-hour manhunt
German police have shot dead Berlin Pride attack suspect Abdul Ballout following a 20-hour manhunt, ending a search for the ISIS sympathiser who killed one person and injured up to 29.
German special forces have shot dead 21-year-old Abdul Ballout in Berlin's Spandau district following a manhunt lasting over 20 hours. Police raided a garden shed around 6:30 p.m., where Ballout attacked officers before being killed in an exchange of gunfire.
Ballout was identified as the suspect who drove a rented van into a Pride celebration crowd near Tiergarten on Saturday night, subsequently attacking bystanders with a knife and machete. The attack left one woman dead and up to 29 people injured.
Investigators confirmed that Ballout was a known Islamic State sympathiser with a prior juvenile conviction for preparing a serious violent act. Reports indicate he previously attempted to join ISIS in Syria and had refused deradicalisation programmes. German political leaders condemned the assault, with CDU leader Friedrich Merz declaring, "We will defend our freedoms."
Sources: La Repubblica, Il Messaggero, Corriere della Sera.
Sources
- Corriere della Sera — Caccia al 21enne Abdul Ballout: già condannato, gli proposero incontri per deradicalizzarsi. «Sta con l'Isis, è pericoloso»
- La Repubblica — Attentato a Berlino, polizia: “Il sospettato è stato ucciso”. Merz: “Difenderemo le nostre libertà”
- Il Messaggero — Attentato a Berlino, ucciso il killer dopo irruzione. La ricostruzione: il van bianco sulla folla, l'attacco con coltello e machete e poi la fuga
Earlier coverage
- Jul 28, 2026, 02:00 PM UTCGerman police kill Berlin Pride attack suspect following manhunt
- Jul 28, 2026, 08:00 AM UTCGerman police shoot dead Berlin attack suspect after Spandau raid
- Jul 28, 2026, 03:00 AM UTCBerlin Pride attack suspect killed by police following manhunt
- Jul 27, 2026, 02:00 PM UTCGerman leaders vow to defend freedoms following Berlin Pride attack
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