A Minnesota man accused of throwing a young boy from the third story balcony at a mall Friday morning allegedly admitted he was there with the intention of killing someone.
According to a complaint filed at the Hennepin County District Court, the mother of 5-year-old Landen Hoffman told police she was standing with a group on third floor of Mall of America, near theRain Forest Café , when a male approached and stood close to them.
The woman asked the man if they were in his way and said they would move, but the man, identified as 24-year-old Emmanuel Aranda, picked up the woman’s little boy and without warning, threw him over the ledge, the complaint stated.
Landen fell nearly 40 feet and landed on the mall’s hard, marble floor. First responders found him lying in a pool of blood and rushed him to the hospital. First responders also noted the boy had numerous injuries, including fractured bones in his legs and arms. The young boy is in critical condition, fighting for his life.
The suspect fled on foot and when a bystander helped block him off, Aranda managed to push the man away. Police later found him at the mall’s light rail train and arrested him. He’s now behind bars facing first-degree, premeditated attempted murder charges.
Aranda Emmanuel Complaint by on Scribd
According to the complaint, Aranda admitted to police that he went to the mall that morning with the intention of killing someone. The suspect reportedly said that he wanted to kill an adult, since they usually stand near the balcony, but then decided on Landen when he spotted the boy.
Further, Arada has been frequenting the mall for years while trying to talk to women. Each time a woman rejected him, he lashed out.
“Defendant indicated he had been coming to the Mall for several years and had made efforts to talk to women in the Mall, but had been rejected, and the rejection caused him to lash out and be aggressive,” a criminal complaint said.
As Crime Online previously reported, court records revealed the suspect has a long history of criminal behavior inside the same mall. In July 2015, Aranda was arrested for throwing objects from the upper area of the mall to the lower area. He also allegedly walked into a store in the mall and with his hands, pushed items off of a display table, breaking glasses in the process.
In October 2015, Aranda reportedly approached a woman at the Twin Cities grill in the mall. He asked her to buy him food, according to police, and when she refused, he threw a glass of water in her face, followed by a glass of tea that hit the woman in the leg.
“My nephew he had mental problems for a long time, for a very long time,” Aranda’s uncle said, according to CBS Minnesota. “He needed help for a really long time.”
Meanwhile, donations have been pouring in for Landon. A GoFundMe donation page surpassed the $500,000 goal, with hundreds of comments from well-wishers.
An update on the donation page indicated Landon had a “peaceful sleep” but continues to fight to for his life.
“He had a peaceful sleep and is still continuing to fight his courageous battle, he’s a strong survivor! No other significant updates at this time, but please continue to keep him in your prayers. We will continue to keep updating as we can. Thank you all and God bless!”
Aranda is being held without bond, facing charges of attempted homicide.
[Feature Photo: Landen Hoffman/Handout]
