An Islamic extremist terror suspect who killed and injured more than 30 people by ramming a vehicle and wielding a knife at an LGBTQ festival in the heart of Berlin was shot dead by police a day after the attack.
According to a compilation of major outlets including Reuters and Germany's Deutsche Welle on the 26th (local time), Berlin police special forces shot dead terror suspect Abdul Balut, 21, at 6 p.m. in the Spandau district of Berlin. Balut is suspected of driving a white van into the site of the Christopher Street Day festival near Tiergarten park in Berlin at 10 p.m. on the 25th. When the vehicle that had plowed into the festival grounds hit a tree and stopped, the suspect got out and swung a bladed weapon at bystanders. The attack left one person dead and 29 injured. Local media said tens of thousands had gathered nearby for a concert marking the end of the festival.
Federal prosecutors in Germany defined the incident as a planned attack by an Islamic extremist. The slain suspect, Balut, is a German national of Lebanese descent who had previously been caught while heading to Syria to join the extremist terror group Islamic State. About two months ago, in May, the suspect was indicted on charges including preparing violent acts that threaten national security and received a suspended sentence of one year and 10 months. German security authorities classified the suspect as a high-priority dangerous individual with violent tendencies and had monitored the suspect through wiretapping, but failed to prevent the tragedy. It also emerged that early this month German security authorities detected signs that the suspect posted an image of a firearm on social media and conducted large-scale raids.
Germany's political class uniformly condemned the attack and signaled a hard-line response. Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on social media, "This is an attack on our society," adding, "We will investigate and punish the crime as severely as possible within the bounds of the law." Merz also said at a memorial service, "We will do everything we can to protect the freedom, openness and liberal spirit that our lives and our society embody." European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said, "Everyone must be able to live, love and defend their rights without fear."
German officials could not hide their dismay. Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner said in a separate statement, "A gathering for a tolerant and peaceful Berlin was brutally attacked," adding, "Berlin is a city of freedom, and today our freedom was horrifically attacked."
The attack is expected to reignite debate over immigration policy and public safety two months before regional elections in Germany. Support has already been rising for right-wing parties calling for stricter immigration controls amid a series of violent crimes by immigrants. Tino Chrupalla, co-leader of Alternative for Germany, said, "We will not allow religious extremists to divide our country with violence and bigotry." Berlin also has precedent: In 2016, an Islamic extremist drove a truck into a Christmas market, killing 13 people.