Family: Children Who Fell From Apartment Building Were 'Full Of Smiles'

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – One child died and another is in serious condition after falling from an apartment building in Minneapolis Thursday afternoon.

Family and friends say the brothers were playing on their porch and fell to a rooftop landing beside it before falling from the building. Both boys were known for being full of smiles, according to the family.

"Very lovely kids, very happy, friendly, always play with the father, mother, other kiddies," said Grad Darhir, a close family friend.

Now, their cozy home is full of sorrow.

"They are very emotional right now. They are in a tough situation – to accept it, but we are Muslim, and we have faith and we believe things happen," Darhir said.

Neighbors and community members gathered Thursday night to remember 2-year-old Abdiqani Abdi, who lost his life, and support his brother, 1-year-old Abdirizak. He is still in the hospital but is expected to survive. Family friends say he broke three ribs and fractured his skull.

"We will get the update, but so far what we are hearing he's much better, he's getting better, he's making good progress," Darhir said.

Police were called to the 2800 block of Pleasant Avenue South at 2:20 p.m. on a report that two children fell from the Karmel Village apartment building. Authorities suspect the boys landed on a patio made of cement, stone or concrete – not grass. They fell five stories.

Darhir says their mother was close by.

"The kids were getting ready for daycare and she was in the bathroom, suddenly when she came out she thought that the kids go out."

Police say the preliminary investigation shows the incident appears to be an accident.

"There's no indication at this time that these children's descent was caused by anything other than the children themselves," said John Elder, with the Minneapolis Police Department.

Building owner Basim Sabri says more than 300 children live in the building.

"It's a sad day," Sabri said. "We have like a beautiful community inside that is family-oriented."

Police say workers in the area who witnessed the fall called 911 and rushed to help the children until officers arrived.

WCCO requested paperwork on the building where the family lives. It is in good standing with the city.

There will be a community gathering to support the Abdi family Saturday at 3 p.m. at Whittier Community Center.