Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Mall of America: Man in custody after 'throwing child' from upper story of famous shopping centre

Police said child suffered significant injuries

Andrew Buncombe
Seattle
Friday 12 April 2019 14:42 EDT
Comments
The mall is the fifth largest in the US
The mall is the fifth largest in the US (AP)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A man has been arrested and taken into custody over an incident in which a five-year-old child may have been pushed or thrown from an upper balcony at the Mall of America.

Reports said a 24-year-old man was detained after the incident at the celebrated shopping complex, located outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Bloomington police chief Jeffrey Potts said witnesses told police the child may have been pushed or thrown from the mall’s third level to the first floor.

Officers gave first aid, but the five-year-old suffered “significant injuries” and had been taken to a hospital, Mr Potts said.

A witness told WCCO-TV a woman was screaming that someone had thrown her child from the third floor balcony. This was near the southeast corner of the mall.

“She was screaming ‘Everyone pray, everyone pray. Oh my God, my baby, someone threw him over the edge’,” said Brian Johnson.

Mr Potts said the suspect ran off after the incident but was quickly found and arrested at the mall, according to the Associated Press.

Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events

The officer said police did not believe there was any relationship between the man and the child or the child’s family. He says police did not have an idea about a possible motive.

“At this point we believe this is an isolated incident,” Mr Potts said. “We’re actively trying to figure out why this occurred.”

No details were immediately available about the child’s condition.

The 4.2-million-square-foot Mall of America is in Bloomington, about 10 miles south of Minneapolis. It is the fifth largest in the country.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in