Hundreds of people from across Brussels gathered yesterday afternoon for a vigil in memory of Fabian, an 11-year-old boy who was killed in a police chase on Monday evening, June 2nd.
Fabian, whose family is from Moldova, was hit by a police car from the Brussels-West zone at around 5.50pm as he rode his electric scooter through Parc Elisabeth in Ganshoren, near the Koekelberg Basilica. Although paramedics tried to resuscitate the boy, he died later in hospital.
Initial findings from the investigation suggest that police officers attempted to stop Fabian as he was riding his scooter in order to carry out a check. The boy then fled, prompting a pursuit.
Dozens of people of all ages and backgrounds have been to lay flowers and leave tributes near to where Fabian died.
At yesterday’s vigil in Parc Elisabeth, the atmosphere was highly charged as the boy’s coffin was carried through the crowd by his family.
A minute's silence was held, after which people queued to sign the book of condolence. Others stood in quiet contemplation, trying to make sense of what happened.
Fabian was days from his 12th birthday when he died. Credit: Family handout.
Michel Wilhotte, 69, from Anderlecht, said he felt compelled to attend the vigil after hearing the news. Speaking to the Brussels Times, he said: “I’m a father myself, and I was shocked and upset when I heard what happened.
“I came to show support for the boy’s family, who must be absolutely devastated by the tragedy.”
When he died, Fabian was just days from celebrating his 12th birthday. His family described him as “gentle, joyful and curious. He loved to learn, to play, to laugh with his loved ones. His smile filled the neighbourhood. His presence filled the house.”
'A whole city is shocked - where was the proportionality?'
The family’s spokesperson Binta Liebman Diallo condemned the police for their “disproportionate behaviour”.
“Today, a whole neighbourhood, a whole city is shocked,” she said. “Where was the proportionality? What danger did Fabian represent?”
Several banners have been erected in the park, emblazoned with the words, Fabian, 11 ans, tué par la police, 02/06/25 (Fabian, 11 years old, killed by the police, 02/06/25).
Many of the mourners we spoke to expressed anger towards the police for their reported role in the child’s death.
Fighting back tears as she spoke, Amal Rezzouke, 54, said: “He was just a child on a scooter in a park. I’m a mother to four children and now a grandmother too. It could have been my child. “I’m sure the boy was scared – scared of the police.”
Many people expressed anger towards the police at the vigil. Credit: The Brussels Times.
Mkewila Pierette, 61, said she felt “so sad” when she heard when had happened and wanted to come to show solidarity with the boy’s family. She had some sympathy for the police, but said the boy’s age should have changed the police officer’s calculations during the pursuit.
“When the police ask you to stop, you should stop,” she added. “But he was a child, and they should have taken that into account.”
Ongoing investigation
An automotive expert has been appointed to determine the exact circumstances of the accident, and a forensic analyst will establish the precise cause of Fabian’s death.
According to RTBF, when the chase began, a second person was riding on the back of the scooter, which is prohibited under Belgian law.
The legal age to ride an e-scooter (16) has also been cited as a justification for the pursuit.
In a press release on Tuesday, the Brussels Public Prosecutor's Office said the investigation has been entrusted to the body responsible for investigating police conduct (‘Committee P’) “in order to guarantee a completely independent and impartial inquiry”.
A fundraising campaign has been launched by Simon Steverlinck, a member of the Heroes For Zero collective. The money raised will be donated to the family to help with funeral expenses.
