On This Date in Minnesota History: August 6

August 6, 1996 – The first suicide by jumping out a window of the IDS Center into the Crystal Court took place on this date. A 32-year-old man walked into the offices of American Express on the 31^st floor of the IDS around 11 a.m., then walked down a stairwell to the 30^th floor, where he threw a 10-lb weight through a window overlooking the Crystal Court.

American Express employees tried to talk the man out of jumping; however, as soon police officers entered the room, the man jumped, crashing through the shopping court’s windows and into the courtyard area, right next to The Gap store.

Saint Paul Pioneer Press; “Man warns passers-by to clear area before fatal leap from IDS”; August 7, 1996; pp. 1A & 8A.

IDS Center Crystal Court

Photo taken by Pamela J. Erickson. Released into the public domain August 6, 2012, as long as acknowledgement included.  

IDS Center

Photo taken by Pamela J. Erickson. Released into the public domain August 6, 2012, as long as acknowledgement included.