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// DOSSIER — berlin-police-kill-suspect-deadly-pride-festival-terror
Berlin Police Kill Suspect in Deadly Pride Festival Terror Attack
REL_TIME: 27 Jul 2026 04:42Z · LANG: EN
On Saturday night, July 25, 2026, a vehicle rammed into a crowd near Berlin's Brandenburg Gate during the city's Pride festival, followed by a bladed weapon attack that killed one woman and injured 29 others. The suspect, identified as 21-year-old German-Lebanese citizen Abdul B., was a known radicalized Islamist with a history of terror-related offenses. Following a manhunt, Berlin's special police unit (SEK) located him at an allotment garden complex in the Spandau district on Sunday evening. When he charged officers with a knife, police shot and killed him.
// Background
The suspect, Abdul B., had a long history of criminal behavior and radicalization. He was convicted of assault in 2019, robbery in 2020, and assault/extortion in 2022. Last year, he attempted to travel to Syria to join ISIS, resulting in a three-month imprisonment in Lebanon. Upon returning to Germany, he was detained and subsequently sentenced in May 2026 to 1 year and 10 months (commuted to parole) for preparing a serious act of violence. Despite publishing ISIS propaganda on Instagram and having his home searched for firearms earlier in July 2026, he remained free on parole at the time of the attack.
// Key Developments
- One woman was killed and 29 others were injured, including three with life-threatening injuries.
- The suspect, 21-year-old Abdul B., was shot dead by SEK officers after charging them with a knife in Spandau.
- German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt classified the incident as an Islamist attack.
- The suspect had an extensive criminal record, including a May 2026 conviction for preparing a serious act of violence, which was commuted to parole.
- The attack occurred outside the secure festival area as attendees were traveling to and from the event.
// Timeline
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Abdul B. is convicted of assault at a Berlin high school.
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Abdul B. is convicted of robbing someone of headphones.
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Abdul B. is convicted of assault and robbery by extortion.
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Abdul B. publishes prohibited ISIS propaganda on his Instagram account.
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Abdul B. attempts to travel to Syria to join ISIS, is arrested in Lebanon, and is later detained at Berlin Brandenburg Airport upon return.
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Abdul B. is sentenced to 1 year and 10 months (commuted to parole) for preparing a serious act of violence.
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Berlin prosecutors search Abdul B.'s home for firearms, finding only a toy gun, leading to the dismissal of the case.
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A van rams into a crowd near Brandenburg Gate during Berlin's Pride festival, and a suspect attacks people with a bladed weapon, killing one and injuring 29.
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Berlin fire department updates the casualty count, and police publicly identify Abdul B. as the suspect.
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SEK officers locate Abdul B. in Spandau; he charges them with a knife and is shot dead at the scene.
// Perspectives
[German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt]
Asserted that evidence strongly points to an Islamist terror attack and detailed the suspect's known radical background.
[German Chancellor Friedrich Merz]
Condemned the attack as a heinous assault on society and promised an investigation with the utmost severity.
[Alfonso Pantisano (Berlin state queer liaison officer)]
Lamented that a day meant for joy, visibility, and freedom was shattered by violence.
// Quotes
“Everything we are seeing here indicates that we have experienced an Islamist attack.”
“They wanted us to treat each other with kindness and tolerance. This is an attack on our society.”
“Every person should be able to live, love, and stand up for their rights without fear.”
