Police have issued an arrest warrant for Ballout, a 21-year-old German of Lebanese descent. Dobrindt said authorities are searching not only in the German capital, “but also at train stations, airports and Germany’s borders.”
According to the minister, the suspect drove a van into the crowd on a path through Tiergarten park near the main Pride venue late Saturday before “allegedly” attacking people with a bladed weapon, “believed to be a machete,” seriously injuring several of them.
Dobrindt confirmed details reported overnight that one woman was killed and 29 people injured, with some in serious or life-threatening condition.
He said the suspect “had previously come to the attention of authorities because of numerous criminal offenses, his radicalization, and his association with the Islamist scene.”
According to Dobrindt, the suspect’s radicalization had previously resulted in a conviction. According to a report by WELT (like POLITICO, part of the Axel Springer group), the suspect had been classified as a security threat and sentenced under Section 89a of the German Criminal Code for preparing a serious act of violence endangering the state.
WELT also reported that a court ordered Ballout to attend counseling sessions as part of a de-radicalization and extremism-prevention program.