Sometimes people do things that we will never truly understand.
When crimes like theft are committed out of necessity, it is easier for us to wrap our heads around why a person may have acted the way that they did.
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Man Who Tossed 5-Year-Old From Mall Of America Balcony Sentenced To 19 Years
Horrible acts, like murder with seemingly no explanation, are terrifying because they could potentially come from anyone at any time.
Unsplash | Emiliano Bar
This is especially the case when the most vulnerable of our society are targeted.
On April 2019, Emmanuel Aranda was reeling after rejection from a woman.
Unsplash | Michael Weidemann
The 24-year-old entered a Mall Of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, and searched for an innocent bystander to take his rage out on.
Police reports say that Aranda was "actively searching for someone to kill."
Unsplash | Dieter de Vroomen
So, the perpetrator decided to seek out someone random to carry out his attack.
When he found a 5-year-old boy and his mother eating lunch, he threw the child over the mall balcony.
Unsplash | Gerry Roarty
The event occurred so quickly that the boy's mother was unable to help her son before he was tossed.
5-year-old Landen Hoffmann fell forty feet.
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He was placed under sedation at the hospital as he suffered head trauma and multiple broken bones.
Thankfully, he did not suffer any extensive brain damage.
Unsplash | Daan Stevens
The hospital cleared him for any "swelling in the brain, spinal cord injuries, nerve damage or life-threatening internal injuries" and he is expected to make a full recovery.
However, this doesn't mean that the family didn't suffer any major costs for the heinous act.
Unsplash | Martha Dominguez de Gouveia
The Family started a Go Fund Me to help with medical costs.
"New test results have been positive, though he remains in intensive care with a long road ahead," a family friend explained.
Unsplash | Martha Dominguez de Gouveia
"We continue our request for privacy as we focus on Landen and thank you for respecting our wishes. Just know that we all feel your overwhelming love, prayers and support."
Emmanuel Aranda was charged with attempted murder.
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In May, it was reported that Aranda would be pleading guilty to his charges.
He allegedly "showed little emotion" as his sentencing was dolled out.
Landen's father made a statement to the court regarding what Aranda's actions had done to his family.
Unsplash | Victor Xok
"Your act was evil and selfish," the statement read, "You chose to listen to the worst parts of yourself that day...that is where your impact on us stops, you will take nothing more from us."
"You chose evil over good and chose to take your hate and hurt out on my precious boy."
Unsplash | Markus Spiske
When the judge asked Aranda if he had anything to say regarding his sentencing, he simply replied, "No."
He has officially been sentenced to 19 years in prison.
New York Post
Landen's family has released no further comments on the boy's current condition.
Actions like these may be difficult for us to wrap our heads around, but at least justice has been served in a sense.
h/t: New York Post
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