A nationally-renowned civil rights law firm that represented the families of Renee Good and George Floyd will investigate security issues surrounding an out-of-commission south Minneapolis grain elevator where a Forest Lake teen nearly died after a fall earlier this month.
18-year-old Ash Ranallo-Korbell was hanging from a beam when he fell 20 stories.
"This is a sad and tragic incident," said Minneapolis Police spokesperson, Sgt. Garrett Parten after the fall. "An 18-year-old individual, their life is changed forever. These injuries are going to impact them, for the rest of their lives."
Police say it was a miracle he survived. The teen continues to recover in the hospital.
According to investigators, Ranallo-Korbell was part of a group of so-called 'urban explorers' who were trespassing on the property in south Minneapolis on Cheatham Avenue in the Longfellow neighborhood.
Minneapolis Fire used a ladder truck to extricate the teen and firefighters provided medical care until they could get the teen to the hospital. Known for a prominent checkerboard-painted tower along Hiawatha Avenue, the site has been targeted for prospective apartment redevelopment.
The Romanucci and Blandin firm says there is ample evidence of numerous, repeated, and consistent reports of concern about the Checkerboard Elevator, as well as requests for intervention to properly secure the premises.
“Our prayers are extended to Ash for a full recovery from his extensive, catastrophic injuries," said the firm's Founding Partner Antonio M. Romanucci. "This simply never should have happened. We will work tirelessly to gather all information, history of the property and related complaints, witness testimony, and other information with the goal of holding those responsible accountable for this senseless tragedy, with the hopes that this never happens to another child or teenager again."
The firm’s investigation will examine the events leading to the fall, including multiple reports of concern about the property’s security.
"We actually heard the scream," says Vox Payne, who lives near the area. "Just this summer, neighbors and I probably collectively have called 911 about 100 times."
She says these urban explorers take huge risks, as they attempt to record videos to post on social media, with groups there nearly every day.
Romanucci and Blandin add that it's become evident that the property has become an attraction to these teens, and because security was lax, the property was too easily accessible.
