Family horrified after 'monster' throws boy from shopping centre balcony
A family is horrified after a “monster” allegedly threw a five-year-old boy from a third-floor balcony in a shopping centre.
Landen Hoffmann fell almost 12 metres at the Mall of America near Minneapolis in the US on Friday and suffered life-threatening injuries.
Friends of the family have created a GoFundMe page to help pay for the boy’s medical bills and have almost raised $700,000.
“He was enjoying a day at the Mall of America with his mum and friend on Friday morning when a stranger maliciously grabbed him and threw him over the third-floor balcony for no apparent reason,” the page says.
“The family doesn’t know him and are completely clueless as to why this monster would target their family with his heinous act of violence.”
Police Chief Jeffrey Potts said on Sunday the boy is “still alive and receiving care” and that the family wants privacy.
Children’s Hospital Minneapolis had no information to release.
Minneapolis man Emmanuel Deshawn Aranda, 24, has been charged with attempted homicide.
“Landen has a very long road to recovery ahead of him,” the GoFundMe page said.
“He suffered life-threatening injuries, many people who fall from that distance aren’t as lucky to make it.
“He has many surgeries ahead in his life to try to get back to a normal life for a young, vibrant boy.”
– with AP
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook and stay up to date with the latest news with Yahoo’s daily newsletter. Sign up here.
