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🇧🇪 Belgium /Crime & Justice

One Year After Fabian's Fatal Police Chase: What Has Changed?

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • One year after 11-year-old Fabian died following a police chase, his family is commemorating his passing.
  • The incident led to calls for stricter rules on police pursuits and training, including banning police vehicles from parks.
  • While some park access rules have been tightened, the judicial investigation into the officer involved is ongoing, and the officer remains employed by the police in a support role.

A year has passed since 11-year-old Fabian tragically lost his life after being hit by a police car during a pursuit in Koekelberg's Elisabethpark. His family is marking the anniversary of his death, which occurred on June 2, 2025, when he was struck by a police vehicle while on his scooter. Fabian died from his injuries in the hospital.

The incident sparked public outrage, particularly as the officer was reportedly driving over 40 mph in a park filled with children, without sirens or lights. This led to demands for revised guidelines on police chases and improved training, alongside a ban on police vehicle patrols in parks. This report reviews the progress made on these issues one year later.

That was emotional, but serene.

— Sven MaryDescribing the meeting between Fabian's mother and the officer involved.

The judicial investigation into the case is still active, confirmed by both the public prosecutor's office and the lawyer for the officer involved, Sven Mary. The officer, who initially faced arrest and an ankle monitor, was later released by the council chamber, deemed not a danger to public safety. He now works in an administrative support role within the West police zone. Mary noted that the mother of Fabian had an emotional but serene meeting with the officer late last year.

A theft with violence.

— Zone WestReferring to a police patrol car with blue lights seen driving through the park.

Following the incident, proposals to ban motorized police patrols in parks were debated. While motions were initially rejected in Koekelberg, Ganshoren, and Brussels-City, Koekelberg eventually adopted a ban after Schaarbeek passed a similar measure. Motorized patrols are still permitted in emergencies. The West police zone, covering Koekelberg, Ganshoren, Molenbeek, Sint-Agatha-Berchem, and Jette, has largely avoided using vehicles in parks since February 2026, prioritizing foot, bicycle, or horse patrols during the day. Night patrols, however, still require motorized vehicles under strict conditions.

Concerns about police driving behavior persist, with some groups describing officers as acting like "cowboys." Since 2017, police have been involved in collisions resulting in at least 11 fatalities.

During the day, presence in parks is primarily ensured on foot, by bicycle, or by horse.

— Arjen Van HumbeeckExplaining the current patrol methods in parks.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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