ALBAWABA - A van drove through a park next to a gay pride parade in Berlin, killing at least one person and injuring 16 others in what authorities are suspecting to be a ‘terrorist’ attack.
The pride event takes place every year on Christopher Street Day on Lennestrasse near the Tiergarten park in central Berlin, the suspect drove through the park hitting pride revelers that were leaving the parade, it is still unclear to authorities how the van entered the park.
The suspect, identified by the police as 21-year-old Abdul K. stating: “According to the information available so far, he is a man known to the police and believed to be associated with the Islamist extremist milieu.”
The van was found empty and crashed into a tree at the park, some of those injured had stab wounds leading the police to believe that Abdul might’ve begun stabbing people after abandoning the car.
Helicopters were deployed in the area and the police cordoned off the site of the attack, authorities released a photo of Abdul in an effort to gather more information about him or any of his known associates as the police are still unsure whether Abdul is the only suspect or if more culprits are involved in the violent attack.
“This is an attack on our free and open society. After a peaceful and colorful pride parade, a gathering celebrating a tolerant and open Berlin was attacked in the most brutal way.” Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner wrote on X.
Chancellor Metz has been briefed on the attack and is in close contact with the interior minister, a government spokesperson said “his thoughts are with the victims,”.
This marks the latest in a series of terrorist car attacks with the deadliest taking place in 2016 in a Christmas market, killing 12 and injuring more than 50.
Organizers have canceled the parade, which was set to resume on Sunday.
