A police officer accused of causing the death of an 11-year-old boy during a high-speed pursuit in a Brussels park has been placed under house arrest, as confirmed by Brussels Prosecutor Julien Moinil on Wednesday. This incident has ignited outrage among police unions and raised tensions between law enforcement and the local community.
Details of the tragic incident
The victim, identified as Fabian, was riding an e-scooter when he attempted to evade police checks. The officer involved, who is in his twenties and early in his career, pursued the boy into Elisabeth Park, located in Ganshoren, a district northwest of the city center. During the chase, the officer’s patrol car collided with Fabian, resulting in his tragic death.
According to Moinil, the pursuit was initiated solely because Fabian was riding the scooter, with no indications of drugs or aggression present. Initial findings suggest that the police officer did not activate his vehicle’s lights or siren during the chase and entered the park—a vehicle-unfriendly area—at speeds exceeding 40 kilometers per hour.
Community response and legal implications
The circumstances surrounding the incident have prompted community members to hold vigils and marches, demanding justice for the young boy and questioning the appropriateness of the police’s response. Moinil highlighted the need for clarity regarding whether the officer had permission to enter the park and the exact sequence of events leading up to the collision.
“This is an extremely serious tragedy, which has led to the death of a child,” Moinil stated, emphasizing the indications of serious wrongdoing.
The officer faces charges of “malicious obstruction of traffic,” which could result in a prison sentence ranging from 20 to 30 years. He is currently under house arrest and subject to electronic monitoring. Moinil also noted the presumption of innocence, stating, “At this stage, no one has been convicted.”
The officer’s arrest has drawn strong reactions from police unions. Vincent Houssin, deputy president of the VSOA union, expressed indignation, questioning the necessity of depriving the officer of his freedom given the lack of flight risk or recidivism. He acknowledged the gravity of Fabian’s death but cautioned against the potential dangers of “sacrificing” the officer, asserting that such actions could deter police from fulfilling their duties.
Moinil urged that the incident not be perceived as a broader indictment of the Brussels police, who, he affirmed, strive to protect residents under challenging conditions. He asserted the need for law enforcement to conduct arrests and pursuits while ensuring judicial oversight to prevent abuses of power.
Additionally, the prosecutor is conducting an investigation into the e-scooter model used by Fabian, which is of Chinese origin, to ensure compliance with national and EU regulations. While e-scooters are legally restricted to a maximum speed of 25 kilometers per hour, there are reports of some models reaching speeds of 90 kilometers per hour. In a related crackdown, police recently raided an e-scooter retailer in Brussels, seizing over €63,000 in cash and a small quantity of narcotics.