Berlin archbishop says after deadly attack on LGBT event that hatred must not win

Archbishop Heiner Koch of Berlin condemned a deadly attack on an LGBT Pride event held at Tiergarten park, stating that hatred must not win. The attack occurred on a Saturday evening when a driver steered a white minivan into a crowd during the Christopher Street Day celebration, killing one woman and injuring at least 29 people.

According to media reports, the driver crashed into a tree about 1,300 feet outside the secured festival area before attacking bystanders with a machete and fleeing. German authorities identified the suspect as 21-year-old Abdul B., a German citizen of Lebanese background. Authorities classified him as a potential Islamist attacker, and the newspaper NZZ reported that he had previously attempted to join the Islamic State in Syria.

Archbishop Koch told the German Catholic news agency KNA that the destruction of the celebration was terrible. He announced that the Archdiocese of Berlin will offer prayers during Sunday Masses for the victims, their families, and for peaceful coexistence in society.