One Year On, Family Seeks Justice in Fabian Police Case

One year after 11-year-old Fabian was fatally struck by a police vehicle in a Brussels park, his family is renewing calls for accountability as the investigation into the officer involved remains ongoing. A commemoration was held on May 31 in Elisabeth Park, Ganshoren, where Fabian’s mother Cristina told La Libre Belgique: “I want justice to be done for Fabian. It’s the only thing I hope for.”

The Incident

On June 2, 2025, Fabian was riding an electric scooter in Elisabeth Park when a police vehicle from the Brussels-West (Bruxelles-Ouest) zone engaged in a chase to stop and check the boy. The vehicle struck and killed him. According to the police report obtained by RTBF, the incident was described as an “accident with death of a man without aggravating circumstances.” The officer was in a “state of shock,” and notably, the report recorded “braking marks: none.” The officer, aged 26, was confirmed not to be under the influence of alcohol.

Legal Proceedings

Days after the incident, the officer was charged with “entrave méchante à la circulation ayant entraîné la mort” (malicious obstruction of traffic causing death) and placed under an arrest warrant with an electronic bracelet, as RTBF reported. In July 2025, the bracelet was lifted under conditions. The investigation was complicated by the absence of bodycams, dashcams, and security cameras in the park at the time.

Defense lawyer Sven Mary stated at a press conference that the officer “will carry the memory of having killed a child for the rest of his life,” as La Libre Belgique reported. As of June 2026, the investigation continues with no date set for a council chamber hearing, which will determine whether the officer is referred to trial.

Policy Responses and Reform Efforts

In the wake of the tragedy, Interior Minister Bernard Quintin ordered an analysis of police chase practices involving two-wheelers and vulnerable road users in urban settings. A ministerial circular was drafted but unanimously rejected by all police unions in late April 2026. Eddy Quaino of the CGSP Police union argued the text was drafted too hastily and emotionally, while Vincent Gilles of SLFP Police said it did not sufficiently protect officers.

Despite the rejected circular, some police zones have taken independent action. The Brussels-West zone allocates €100,000 annually to driver training, having trained 325 officers between 2023 and 2025, with 108 more scheduled for 2026. The Brussels-Capital Ixelles zone has also developed internal training focused on detecting dangerous situations and vehicle control.

Municipal Action and Memorial Controversy

In October 2025, Schaerbeek became the first Brussels municipality to restrict police vehicle presence in parks, except for life-threatening emergencies, as RTBF reported. Other communes are being urged to follow suit.

The case also sparked controversy over public mourning. A spontaneous memorial at the site of Fabian’s death — maintained by residents with weekly gatherings — was destroyed by authorities on February 2, 2026, without informing the family. Bruxelles Dévie reported that the OSVP collective declared: “The police killed Fabian, the state is now trying to kill his memory.” Authorities offered only to plant a “memory tree,” which collectives rejected as inadequate.

Broader Implications

The case has become a flashpoint in debates about police accountability and community trust in Belgium. It tests legal precedent on police liability in chase-related deaths involving child victims and highlights the difficulty of reforming chase protocols amid tensions between officer protection and public safety. For Fabian’s mother Cristina, the fight is deeply personal: “We never forget a beautiful soul. Fabian will remain forever in our hearts.”

As the legal process continues without a clear timeline, the family and community await answers — and justice — for a life cut tragically short.