A 5-year-old boy was thrown from the third-floor balcony at the Mall of America last Friday, April 12th.

The boy, named Landen, was critically injured after being randomly tossed by a 24 year-old stranger, over the edge of a third-floor balcony, ultimately dropping almost 40 feet.

The 24 year-old Minneapolis man, named Emmanuel Deshawn Aranda, claimed he was “looking for someone to kill” following several rejections by women. Aranda also declared he was “expecting to kill an adult”, but was easily persuaded in choosing the victim he chose. 

Aranda asserted that he had been attending the mall for years to search and speak to women, but was always unsuccessful. 

One of the earliest run-in’s with the law at the mall faced by Aranda was dated back to 2015, where he was charged with damaging stores within the mall, throwing products over balconies, and resisting arrest in July of that year. 

Aranda was issued a trespass notice that ordered him to stray away from visiting the mall but completely disregarded it.  Upon returning to the mall only a few months later, he aggressively harassed a few women working at a restaurant located in the mall by throwing glasses of water in their faces.

He was convicted of fifth-degree assault during this time, and since the incidents dated back to 2015, the trespassing period had expired.

In relations to last Friday’s attack, Aranda is being held in Hennepin County Jail and charged with attempted premeditated first-degree murder.

A family friend described Landon Hoffman as “the sweetest, kindest 5-year-old you could ever meet. His soul is soft and gentle and instantly brings a smile to everybody he meets.”  Landen continues to fight for his life in the Minneapolis hospital, where he suffers from multiple broken bones and severe head trauma, but remains in stable condition. 

A GoFundMe page has been created with a goal of $500,000 for the victim to aid in covering “immense medical costs and rehabilitation costs.” Donations have continued to rise, reaching almost $625,000 in only two days.  An update made by Noah Hanneman was posted to the GoFundMe page, stating “He had a peaceful sleep and is still continuing to fight his courageous battle, he’s a strong survivor!”