Landen Hoffmann of Woodbury, Minnesota, suffered life-threatening injuries
A bystander rushed to help and apprehend the stranger accused of throwing a five-year-old boy from the third-floor balcony in the Mall of America, it has emerged.
Little Landen Hoffmann of Woodbury, Minnesota, was tossed from the balcony on Friday and police arrested 24-year-old Emmanuel Deshawn Aranda, who is from the Minneapolis metro area.
Aranda was charged with attempted homicide and is currently being held at the Bloomington Police Department.
A bystander who police say witnessed Aranda push the child stopped him from fleeing the scene.
Bloomington Police Chief Jeff Potts said Saturday: 'We’re very appreciative of his efforts to try to intervene and help out in a very difficult situation.'
Police were called to the Mall of America after Aranda, who is not thought to be of any relation, allegedly threw Landen from the balcony. He fell nearly 40 feet.
Aranda, who has reportedly been banned from Mall of America in the past, was chased down inside the mall and taken into custody.
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Emmanuel Deshawn Aranda was arrested Friday at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota
Soft toys and flowers left at the scene where Landen Hoffmann fell nearly 40 feet
As of Sunday morning, the campaign had raised more than $380,000 - surpassing its original goal of $250,000 in under 24 hours
Wellwishers have already donated more than $380,000 in less than 24 hours to Landan's family after he suffered life-threatening injuries.
And Landen's cousin, April Hoffmann, posted a tribute to the boy on her Instagram page on Saturday.
‘Please pray for my cousins beautiful son Landen,’ she wrote.
‘A monster of a man threw him from a 3rd floor balcony at the mall, he is fighting to stay with us every second.’
Friends of the family began the GoFundMe crowdfunding campaign for Landen, who is described as 'the sweetest, kindest five-year-old you will ever meet'.
'His soul is soft and gentle and instantly brings a smile to everybody he meets,' according to the GoFundMe page.
'He is full of energy and life and enjoys soccer, playing with friends and family and playing hockey with his brother and sister.'
Landen Hoffmann is the five-year-old boy who was thrown off a third-floor balcony at Minnesota's Mall of America on Friday. His cousin, April Hoffmann, posted this message on her Instagram page
Witnesses say a woman at the mall was screaming hysterically after the child was thrown.
'She was screaming "Everyone pray, everyone pray. Oh my God, my baby, someone threw him over the edge,"' Brian Johnson told WCCO.
