Police Identify Suspect in Berlin Pride Crowd Attack That Left One Dead and 16 Injured

German authorities have identified a suspect in the deadly vehicle attack that struck crowds attending Berlin’s annual Christopher Street Day (CSD) Pride celebrations, leaving one person dead and at least 16 others injured in an incident that has shocked the country and prompted a massive police manhunt.

The attack unfolded on Saturday evening near Tiergarten Park, close to the route of one of Europe’s largest LGBTQ+ Pride parades. Witnesses said a white van drove into pedestrians gathered for the celebrations before crashing into a tree. Emergency services rushed to the scene, where several victims were treated for life-threatening injuries before being taken to nearby hospitals.

Police later confirmed that one person had died while 16 others sustained injuries of varying severity. The force declared a major incident, cordoned off the area and urged members of the public to avoid the city centre as investigations got underway. Organisers cancelled the remainder of the Pride celebrations, including a scheduled concert near the Brandenburg Gate, as emergency crews secured the scene.

Authorities subsequently identified the suspect as Abdul B., a 21-year-old man who, according to investigators, is known to police and has links to Islamic extremist circles in Berlin. Officials stressed that the suspect had not yet been arrested and warned that he should be considered dangerous while the manhunt continues. Police deployed helicopters and additional officers across the German capital in an effort to locate him. Investigators are still working to establish the motive behind the attack and whether it was planned in advance.

More than 2,200 police officers had already been assigned to provide security for the Pride event, which attracted hundreds of thousands of participants from across Germany and abroad. Following the attack, authorities appealed for witnesses to submit photographs and videos that could assist the investigation, while a crisis hotline was established for families searching for missing loved ones.

Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner condemned the incident as a direct assault on the city’s values of openness and tolerance, pledging that every effort would be made to bring those responsible to justice. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also denounced the attack, expressing solidarity with the victims and promising full federal support for the ongoing investigation.

The incident has renewed concerns about public safety at large gatherings in Germany, which has experienced several deadly vehicle-ramming attacks in recent years. Security experts say the latest attack is likely to trigger a fresh review of protective measures at major public events across the country.

As investigators continue to piece together the circumstances surrounding the attack, authorities have urged the public not to speculate on the suspect’s motives until the investigation is complete. Police say their immediate priority remains locating the suspect, supporting victims and determining whether anyone else may have been involved.