Berlin Pride attack: One killed, 29 injured in Islamist van ramming near Brandenburg Gate

On the evening of July 25, 2026, a white van was deliberately driven at high speed into a crowd of pedestrians in Tiergarten park, close to the Brandenburg Gate, during the Berlin Pride (Christopher Street Day) celebrations . The attack occurred shortly before 10 p.m. local time . One woman was killed and at least 29 others were injured, several critically . Early reports had cited 16 injured, but the number rose as more victims sought medical attention .

The suspect: Abdul Ballout

The suspect was identified as Abdul Ballout (also referred to as Abdul B., full name Abdul Rahman Toufic Ballout), a 21-year-old German citizen born in Berlin to Lebanese parents . He was a known Islamic State supporter who had previously been convicted on terrorism charges for attempting to join ISIS and was required to attend a deradicalization course while on parole . Ballout had been released from juvenile detention in May 2026 — just weeks before the attack — and lived approximately 100 meters from the Pride parade route . Prosecutors said he traveled to Lebanon in 2025 with the goal of reaching Syria to join the Islamic State group .

The manhunt and end of the chase

Following the attack, Ballout fled on foot after the van struck a tree . Police launched a massive manhunt with more than 2,200 officers deployed across Berlin . He was tracked to an allotment garden in the Spandau district of Berlin. When police moved to arrest him on the evening of July 26, Ballout rushed at officers with a stabbing weapon and was shot and killed by police . Authorities had warned the public not to approach him, describing him as "possibly armed and dangerous" .

Official classification as terrorism

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt publicly identified the attack as an "Islamist terrorist attack" at a news conference, stating that all evidence pointed to Islamist extremism and that Ballout was an alleged supporter of the Islamic State militant group . "Everything we have seen so far indicates that we are dealing with an Islamist terrorist attack," Dobrindt said .

Aftermath and community response

The Pride parade and associated celebrations were immediately canceled as police secured the scene . Parade infrastructure was dismantled near the Brandenburg Gate . On July 26, thousands gathered for a vigil at the Brandenburg Gate to honor the victim and show solidarity with the LGBTQ community . German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also attended the memorial, laying flowers in tribute . German leaders pledged to prosecute all those responsible and launched a full investigation into the attack and any potential accomplices .