Following a fatal drive at the Berlin CSD, police are publicly searching for a suspect linked to an “Islamist milieu.” The authorities announced late Sunday night that the individual is 21-year-old Abdul B. Descriptions provided include a slender build, a height of around 1.90 meters, and black hair. At the time of the incident, he was reportedly wearing a black hoodie and white pants. Police urged the public not to approach the suspected person if they encounter him, warning that he could be armed.
Abdul B. allegedly drove a small commercial van through the Berlin Tiergarten around 10 p.m. on Saturday, where CSD participants were celebrating. He reportedly crashed into a tree before fleeing the scene. Police have since stated that one or more individuals left the vehicle. Furthermore, multiple people were reportedly injured by stabbing implements.
The event was called off after the attack, but for over an hour, little was publicly known about what had happened-presumably to avoid sparking panic. Initially, police also utilized a helicopter over the Tiergarten for the search, reportedly employing a thermal imaging camera. According to the latest information, one person was killed and 16 others were injured during the attack on Saturday evening.
The Christopher Street Day is a celebration for lesbians, gay men, and other “queer” individuals, an event that has taken place for decades on varying dates. The largest parades for CSD are held each year in Berlin and Cologne.
