Man throws kid off 3rd floor at Mall of America

Yesterday, in Bloomington, Minnesota, Emmanuel Aranda (24) was charged with attempted first-degree murder for throwing a 5-year old boy off the third floor balcony at the Mall of America last Friday. He fell almost 40 feet. 

The boy, Landen, is still in critical condition. He had multiple broken bones and severe head trauma.

The boy and his mother were with their friends when Aranda approached them, suddenly grabbed his 5-year old son and threw him off the balcony.

Police said Aranda tried to flee, but was caught and taken to jail.

When police questioned Aranda, he said he was angry over being rejected by women at the mall in the past. 

He said he came to the mall looking for someone to kill, preferably an adult, but said “it didn’t work out.”

Police said Aranda has a criminal history of destroying mall property and lashing out at women when they reject his advances. He also had an arrest warrant in Illinois for assault. He was previously banned from the Mall of America.

Landen’s family and their friends set up a GoFundMe to pay for Landen’s medical bills and has raised over $660,000 so far. 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/.../man-charged.../...

https://www.cbsnews.com/.../emmanuel-aranda-mall-of.../

https://www.chicagotribune.com/.../ct-mall-of-america-boy...