Man sentenced to 19 years for throwing boy from Mall of America balcony
Emmanuel Aranda, 24, pleaded guilty to attempted premeditated first-degree murder
A man who threw a 5-year-old boy from a third-floor balcony at the Mall of America in Minnesota has been sentenced to 19 years in prison.
Emmanuel Aranda was sentenced Monday before Hennepin County District Judge Jeannice Reding. The 24-year-old Minneapolis man pleaded guilty last month to attempted premeditated first-degree murder in the April 12 attack.
Authorities say he told investigators he went to the mall "looking for someone to kill." The child plunged almost 40 feet. He survived head trauma and broken bones.
Authorities have not released the victim's name and say his family requested privacy.