Family of boy thrown from Mall of America balcony thanks supporters for prayers

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Prosecutors say suspect who threw child off balcony went to Mall of America 'looking for someone to kill'

According to court documents, Emmanuel Deshawn Aranda went to the Mall of America looking to kill an adult and the 5-year-old boy was not his original target; Alicia Acuna reports.

The family of the 5-year-old boy who was tossed from the third floor of the Mall of America in Minnesota earlier this month thanked supporters for their prayers as it was revealed that the boy remains hospitalized.

Landen Hoffman continued to be sedated Tuesday as he recovers from the fall. His family in a statement said that Hoffman "has an important week ahead with more milestones to accomplish," but noted the public's "prayers are working."

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During Easter service on Sunday, a pastor at a church Hoffman's grandparents attend said there was no evidence the boy had a brain injury. However, R. Stephen Tillitt, an attorney who represents the family, told The Associated Press he couldn't confirm or deny that information as it would invade the Hoffmans' privacy.

Emmanuel Deshawn Aranda, 24, of Minneapolis, was arrested in the April 12 incident.

Bloomington Police Chief Jeffrey Potts said at a news conference earlier this month that Aranda — who did not know Hoffman or his family — threw the boy off the balcony at the mall.

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Arnada allegedly told investigators he went to the Mall of America that day with the intention of killing an adult but it didn't "work out," according to a criminal complaint. The 24-year-old was apparently angry that he'd been rejected by women at the mall in the past and this "caused him to lash out and be aggressive."

The 24-year-old was charged with attempted premeditated first-degree murder.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.