The man accused of pushing his young brother from a roof of a seven-story apartment building reportedly suffered from schizophrenia and had previously threatened to kill himself by jumping from the same rooftop.

As CrimeOnline previously reported, 20-year-old Shawn Smith was arrested early Saturday morning after leading police to the body of his 4-year-old brother, Shimron.

According to the New York Post, Odessa Frith said her eldest son was acting unusual on the evening before the alleged crime.

She initially told reporters that she did not “even want to mention” the suspect, but eventually began to explain the unusual behavior from the typically “quiet” man.

According to his mother, Shawn Smith sat in a chair “laughing and laughing” at nothing in particular on Friday night.

Frith was much more open about discussing her youngest son and the impact his death has had on her life.

“My baby Shimron was just a joy,” she said. “He touched everyone’s heart. Everyone he met loved him. He was a joy.”

Shawn Smith is accused of carrying Shimron up the stairs of the building at around 3 a.m. and throwing him to his death on the ground below before informing police officers nearby.

Reports indicate he had been living at the location for almost a year since entering the U.S. from Guyana.

In addition to the suspect and victim, Frith has four other children. She said it has been especially confusing for her 5-year-old son.

“He doesn’t understand,” she said. “He wants to know when Shimron is coming home.”

As of the latest reports available, the suspect remained in jail ahead of his arraignment.

[Featured image: Shimron Smith, handout]