Following a nationwide manhunt, police tracked the suspect to a garden allotment in Spandau on Sunday evening, where he was shot and killed after attempting to attack officers with an edged weapon.
The Final Phone Call Before the Berlin Attack
Shortly before driving a white delivery truck into a crowd near the Berlin CSD on Saturday night around 22:00, Abdul Ballout called his father, Tawfik Ballout. According to an interview given by Tawfik Ballout to the Spiegel, the young man said, “Papa, I am missing you,” and expressed a wish to be back with his family in Lebanon.
The 64-year-old father stated that he had previously argued with his son over his appearance. Tawfik Ballout recounted that he prohibited Abdul from wearing a long beard because he feared the young man was falling into extremist circles. When directly asked about the Islamic State, Abdul claimed the terror organization was “bad,” according to his father’s statements to the Spiegel.
Did you know?
Investigators established a nationwide manhunt after identifying Abdul Ballout early Sunday morning via a published wanted photo, which ultimately led police to parcel 46 of the Burgwallschanze garden association in Spandau.
Radicalization and Prior Convictions
German media reports indicate that Ballout was known to authorities for years due to violent and robbery offenses, as well as Islamist activities. He disseminated Islamic State propaganda and received a conviction in 2026 for preparing a terrorist offense, though he remained on the street despite the General Prosecutor’s appeal for a longer prison sentence.
Investigators state that Ballout had managed to radicalize and made multiple attempts to join the Islamic State. A prior attempt to travel to Syria via Lebanon resulted in an arrest and a suspended sentence. Tawfik Ballout told the Spiegel that his son must have been “brainwashed,” describing him as emotional and generous.
Family Impact and Desperate Search Efforts
Abdul Ballout lived with his mother and two of his three sisters in Berlin; his parents have been divorced for years. Tawfik Ballout told reporters that the family is Shia and does not support the Islamic State, noting that his son had recently gravitated toward the Sunni branch associated with the terrorist militia.
Following the attack, the father reported trying to reach his son hundreds of times. The final message to Abdul’s phone was delivered on Saturday at 21:53, after which all communication stopped. Tawfik Ballout stated that his former wife was “going crazy” and his daughters had wept continuously since the incident.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the suspect in the Berlin CSD van attack?
How did the manhunt end?
Police located Ballout on Sunday evening in a garden allotment in the Spandau district of Berlin. He was shot and killed by police at 18:34 after attempting to attack officers with a knife.
What casualties resulted from the attack?
The vehicle ramming attack left one woman dead and 29 other people injured, according to verified police reports.
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