A man suspected of throwing a boy from the balcony of the Mall of America had already had violent incidents at the mall

The man, identified by police as Emmanuel Deshawn Aranda, was charged in July 2015 with throwing objects from the upper level of the mall to the lower level. He also refused to give his name to the police and resisted his arrest.

Aranda then received an intrusion notice to stay away from the mall. But three months later, he was accused of having returned and having a drink on a woman in a mall restaurant.

In Friday's incident, the boy was injured and was treated at the Minneapolis Children's Hospital, said Bloomington Police Chief Jeff Potts.

Potts said that Aranda was not known to the child or his family and that the investigators "are actively trying to understand why this has happened".

Aranda escaped from the scene but was stopped at the transit station of the mall. Aranda, who lives in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, was detained by Bloomington police for suspicion of attempted homicide.

Potts said the incident was isolated – that the child or his family was not aware of Aranda – and that the investigators "are actively trying to understand why this is happening. is produced … it was an interaction on the ground or reason ".

The chaotic scene unfolded around 10:15 am in the southeast corner of the mall. Police officers responded to a report about a child who had fallen on a third-floor railing, but quickly learned that the child had been "pushed or thrown," Potts said.

The boy fell to the first floor next to the escalators at the Michael Kors and Clarks stores. Customers at the mall and the police took action that saved the boy's life, said Potts.

A woman who worked at a nearby store and did not want to be identified said she heard screams, went out of the store and saw the boy hit the floor.

"The weather has stopped for a minute for me," she said. "I saw the boy leave still."

Potts did not specify whether the child and his family were from Minnesota or were visiting.

"Of course, our immediate concern is with the child," said Potts, adding that the mother was accompanying the child. "Our thoughts and prayers are obviously with this child and his family, in the hope that this child will be able to recover."

Part of the first and third floor shopping center was cordoned off while the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office Police and Crime Laboratory were being held.

Police are working with mall officials to see if there is a video of the crime, Potts said.

Metro Transit discontinued the Blue Line light rail service at approximately 11:00 am due to police activity. Service resumed just before 11:30

"It was a foolish act and the words can not really express our deep emotion and deep sadness," said the Mall of America in a statement. "Our one and only immediate concern is the well-being of the family and the child, as well as anyone who has witnessed the incident."

"We offer consulting services to anyone who may need assistance," the statement said. "We know that this is a worrying event for all of us. While the Bloomington Police Department continues to investigate the causes and reasons for this isolated incident, we will cooperate fully with us. "

According to Minnesota's court records, Aranda was convicted of interfering in a police officer, intrusion and fifth-degree aggression – all minor offenses – and first-degree material damages. .