BERLIN – Less than 24 hours after a violent vehicle attack near Berlin’s annual LGBTQ+ Pride festival left one person dead and at least 16 others injured, German law enforcement officials launched a public manhunt Sunday for a fugitive suspect identified as 21-year-old Abdul B. In an official wanted notice published by state police and public prosecutors, authorities issued an urgent warning for residents to exercise extreme caution around the suspect, noting he is believed to be armed and should not be approached directly by members of the public.
Investigators confirmed that the incident involved multiple layers of violence beyond the van ramming. A moving vehicle was used to strike multiple victims, after which at least one individual fled the scene. Initial investigations also uncovered evidence that several victims suffered stab wounds, adding to the complexity of the ongoing probe.
Berlin police spokesperson Florian Nath told reporters that investigators have already established that the suspect has documented connections to Islamic extremist networks operating within the German capital. “The suspect is already known to our department. He is linked to Islamic circles based here in Berlin, and our search operations are being prioritized and carried out at maximum speed,” Nath stated in a press briefing.
Despite early progress in identifying a person of interest, Nath added that key details surrounding the attack remain unconfirmed as of Sunday. “At this stage, we have no confirmed information about the suspect’s specific motives, the exact order of events that unfolded during the attack, or the full scope of his role in planning or carrying out this crime,” Nath said. Investigators are asking members of the public who may have information about Abdul B.’s current whereabouts to contact authorities immediately.