Berlin Pride attack suspect shot dead by police

BERLIN – German police have tracked down and fatally shot the main suspect in the deadly attack during Berlin's Pride parade. The 21-year-old suspect, identified as Abdul B., was killed after allegedly charging at police officers with a knife.

The suspect had been on the run since Saturday night, when a white van drove into participants near Potsdamer Platz. Witnesses said the vehicle ploughed into the crowd at high speed before the driver reportedly attacked bystanders with a machete.

The attack claimed the life of one woman and left 29 others injured. Police say none of the victims currently remain in life-threatening condition.

Authorities located Abdul B. around 6 p.m. in a community garden in the Spandau district of Berlin. According to police, he rushed towards officers armed with a bladed weapon, prompting them to open fire. Despite resuscitation efforts, he died at the scene.

Investigators say Abdul B. was already well known to police and German security services. In May, he received a suspended prison sentence of one year and ten months for preparing a serious act of violence. As part of that sentence, he was ordered to participate in a deradicalisation programme.

Authorities also said he had previously attempted to travel to Syria to join the Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist organisation. German media report that he had been known to security agencies since the age of 16 because of serious criminal activity, radicalisation and ties to Islamist circles.

Although the main suspect has been killed, police have not ruled out the involvement of additional suspects. Several people have been detained and questioned, with some remaining in custody as the investigation continues.