BERLIN, Germany – Berlin police said they have identified a suspect in the deadly attack that struck the city’s annual LGBTQ+ Pride celebrations and said the individual has ties to Islamic “circles” in the German capital, as investigators continued an intensive search following the incident.
The attack on Saturday night killed one person and injured at least 16 others after a white van drove into people gathered near Berlin’s Christopher Street Day (CSD) Pride celebrations. Police said several of the injured sustained life-threatening injuries.
The violence prompted authorities to halt the remainder of one of Europe’s largest LGBTQ+ events and launch a large-scale criminal investigation.
Police Identify Suspect as Investigation Continues
Berlin police spokesperson Florian Nath said investigators had identified a suspect and were carrying out operational measures related to the investigation.
“He is known to us as a member of Islamic circles here in Berlin,” Nath told reporters, adding that the suspect is from Berlin and had previously come to the attention of police.
Authorities did not release the suspect’s identity.
Nath said the search for the suspect was continuing “at full speed.”
Police have not publicly identified a motive, and investigators said the inquiry remains ongoing.
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Attack Occurred Near Pride Celebrations
According to police, a white van drove into people gathered in Berlin’s Tiergarten park at about 10 p.m., shortly after the Pride march had passed through the area, before crashing into a tree.
Emergency responders treated multiple victims at the scene as police secured the area and urged the public to leave to allow rescue operations to continue.
Earlier in the investigation, police spokesperson Alexander Klute said authorities had not determined the identity of the perpetrator or perpetrators and had not established a motive.
Investigators are also examining witness reports that some victims may have sustained stab wounds in addition to injuries caused by the vehicle. Police cautioned that it is too early to determine whether those accounts are accurate.
Pride Events Canceled Following the Attack
The attack forced organizers to cancel the remainder of Berlin’s Christopher Street Day celebrations, including an evening concert near the Brandenburg Gate.
Officials advised attendees to avoid the Tiergarten area while emergency services and investigators remained at the scene.
More than 2,200 police officers had been deployed across Berlin to provide security for the Pride parade and related events, which drew hundreds of thousands of participants.
Authorities also appealed for witnesses to submit photographs, videos and other evidence that could assist investigators and activated a crisis hotline for people seeking information about relatives or friends.
Officials Condemn the Violence
Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner described the incident as an attack on the city’s values after what had been a peaceful day of celebrations.
He said the violence targeted “our free and cosmopolitan society” and expressed confidence that police and security agencies would continue working to identify those responsible and establish the full circumstances surrounding the attack.
The investigation remains active as authorities continue searching for the suspect and examine evidence from the scene.
This report is based on reporting by The Associated Press.
