A manhunt was underway in Germany on Saturday after an attacker allegedly drove a vehicle into participants at Berlin's Pride parade, killing at least one person and injuring multiple others, authorities said.
The suspect, whose identity has not been officially released, was reported to have alleged Islamist ties, according to German Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) officials who spoke with NBC News on condition of anonymity due to the ongoing investigation.
Background
Saturday's attack occurred during Berlin's Christopher Street Day parade, an annual celebration of LGBTQ+ rights that draws thousands of participants through the city's streets. The event has been held in various forms since the 1970s and represents one of Germany's largest Pride celebrations.
German authorities confirmed they are treating the incident as a potential act of terrorism linked to extremist ideology. Video circulating on social media showed chaos at the scene as attendees scattered following the impact.
The Investigation
Berlin police established a command post near the attack site in the Schöneberg district and urged witnesses to come forward with video footage or photographs. Federal prosecutors with the General Federal Prosecutor's Office announced they had assumed investigative jurisdiction, a step typically taken when cases involve potential national security implications.
The BKA issued a nationwide alert requesting law enforcement be on the lookout for the suspect vehicle described as a dark-colored sedan. Investigators were reviewing surveillance footage from along the parade route to trace the suspect's movements before and after the attack.
Authorities have not disclosed whether they have identified a motive with certainty, but the reported Islamist connection marks this incident as a priority case for federal prosecutors.
Key Takeaways
- At least one person was killed and multiple others injured when a vehicle struck participants at Berlin Pride on Saturday
- The suspect remains at large as German authorities conduct a nationwide manhunt
- Federal prosecutors have taken over the investigation amid reported extremist motives
- Berlin police have established a command post and are collecting witness testimony and video evidence
- The attack occurred during one of Germany's largest annual LGBTQ+ celebrations in the Schöneberg district
What's Next
German authorities are expected to provide additional details as the investigation progresses. Federal prosecutors indicated they may hold a press briefing once more information becomes available. The search for the suspect continues across Germany, with law enforcement agencies coordinating efforts through the BKA's central command structure.
The attack has prompted heightened security measures at other Pride events and public gatherings throughout Germany, officials said.