Man charged with throwing boy from Mall of America balcony returns to court

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - The man accused of throwing a young boy from the third flood at Mall of America is due back in court Tuesday in Hennepin County.

Emmanuel Aranda has been charged with premeditated attempted murder, and if convicted, prosecutors are seeking a longer sentence than usual 15-20 years because of the cruelty of the attack.

Aranda is accused of throwing a 5-year-old boy from the third floor of the Mall of America on April 12, critically injuring the boy. According to the criminal complaint, he told police he went to the mall, "looking for someone to kill." Additionally, he told police he knew what he was doing was wrong.

A family spokesperson says the boy is improving after suffering severe head trauma and several broken bones.

A GoFundMe has raised over $1 million for the boy and his family.