Boy Survives 40-Foot Fall from Mall of America Balcony
Five-year-old Landen Hoffman, who was pushed from the third-floor balcony of the Mall of America in 2019 by a stranger, is recovering and sharing his story.
A five-year-old boy who survived a fall of approximately 40 feet after being pushed from the third-floor balcony of the Mall of America has defied medical expectations and is now sharing his story.
Landen Hoffman was at the Mall of America in October 2019 with his mother, Kari, and some friends when a stranger approached and pushed him over the railing. The fall resulted in severe injuries, and at first, Landen had no pulse or heartbeat. Nurses on the scene administered CPR, and bystanders joined in prayer. Landen fell to the ground, sustaining injuries so severe that doctors were astonished he survived.
Doctors were initially uncertain about Landen's long-term prognosis, including whether he would be able to walk again or if his brain activity would return to normal. However, in the years since the attack, Landen has defied every medical prediction.
Landen's mother, Kari, expressed her unwavering hope during the initial crisis, stating she refused to believe he wouldn't be okay.
Despite the trauma of the event, Landen reportedly views it as a "good story." He was able to ask for a bath and his iPad upon waking up, and has since become something of a local celebrity in his hometown.
The incident occurred as Landen and his friend Will were preparing for a day of coloring at the Crayola store within the mall.
The individual responsible for the attack, Emmanuel Deshawn Aranda, was later apprehended by police and charged with attempted murder. The motive behind the seemingly random act of violence has been described as an impulsive act by Aranda, who reportedly stated he was angry and in a 'dark mood'.