Berlin CSD Attack: Abdul Ballout Shot Dead by SEK After Manhunt
Berlin, August 2, 2026 – Abdul Ballout, the 21-year-old Islamist identified as the perpetrator of Sunday’s deadly CSD attack in Berlin, was shot and killed by a Special Deployment Commando (SEK) unit on Sunday evening. Ballout was apprehended in a garden allotment in the Spandau district of Berlin. During the arrest, he reportedly attacked SEK officers, who then opened fire, fatally wounding him.
The attack, which occurred during the Christopher Street Day (CSD) celebrations, resulted in the death of one woman and left 29 people injured. Three individuals initially in critical condition have since been stabilized.
Manhunt Concludes in Spandau
Police tracked Abdul Ballout to a garden shed in a small garden colony in Berlin’s Spandau district. The SEK unit initiated the raid around 6 PM, during which Ballout reportedly assaulted the officers. He succumbed to his gunshot wounds shortly thereafter.
The police operation in the garden colony continued for several hours, with investigators securing evidence. The head of the garden colony, Carsten Barthel, reported hearing gunshots around 6 PM. Witnesses stated that police had cordoned off the area around Ruhlebener Straße since approximately 3 PM.
According to BILD information, the police received a tip-off from Ballout’s personal circle, which led them to his location.
Questions Arise Regarding Ballout’s Prior Release
Following the incident, questions have been raised regarding Ballout’s previous judicial treatment. Berlin’s Governing Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) expressed his dismay that Ballout, despite having a criminal record, was released on probation under juvenile criminal law. “He was convicted (…) under juvenile criminal law,” Wegner told RBB’s “Abendschau” on Sunday evening. “And then, unfortunately, the court issued a suspended sentence. And I don’t want to judge that, that is the independence of the judiciary, but I am at a loss for words.”
Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) stated that this aspect would be thoroughly investigated. “We know that he committed a multitude of crimes, that he sympathized with terrorism, that there was also a conviction that was suspended on probation, and that the public prosecutor’s office appealed against it,” Dobrindt said on ARD. “And indeed, the question is currently being asked very much how a sentence can be suspended on probation for someone who has been identified as a threat. This will also be investigated in detail.”
No Further Threat, Says Interior Minister
Dobrindt reassured the public that there is currently no indication of further threats. “We currently assume no further threat,” Alexander Dobrindt said on ARD on Sunday evening. He noted that such attacks are typically carried out by lone perpetrators. However, he also highlighted that he had recently raised the threat level in Germany from abstract to high, as previously reported by BILD.
Dobrindt dismissed accusations that the threat posed by Islamists is underestimated. “It is very closely monitored by the authorities,” he stated. He emphasized that authorities are equally vigilant towards right-wing and left-wing extremists, as well as Islamists. “Everything must be fought against equally.”
Search for Accomplices Continues
Despite Ballout’s death, investigations are ongoing. Witnesses of the rampage reported a possible passenger in the vehicle, prompting security authorities to continue pursuing leads regarding potential accomplices.
Mayor Wegner Praises Investigative Success
Mayor Wegner lauded the swift action of the Berlin police. “The fact that the Berlin police had the suspect within 24 hours is a great success for the investigative authorities,” said Berlin’s Governing Mayor Kai Wegner on RBB on Sunday evening. “And I am very grateful for that.”
The incident has deeply impacted Berlin, and authorities are committed to ensuring public safety and thoroughly investigating all aspects of the attack.
