Teen Dies After Fall From Minneapolis Fire Escape
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Family and friends are mourning the death of a 16-year-old boy who fell from a fire escape in south Minneapolis Thursday.
Blake Fannin died from injuries after falling four stories. He had been climbing with a friend at a 100-year-old building in Uptown.
"He just lived life full, everything he did was very tenacious," Blake's father, Kevin Fannin, said.
The heartbroken father fought back tears as he talked about his son.
"If anyone described to me the pain that you would feel," Kevin said.
He says his son loved basketball, and he could bring people from all walks of life together -- on and off the court.
Blake's coaches at Minnesota Developmental Basketball, where he played for years, agreed.
"A kid that maybe when you looked at him, maybe a little unassuming, a little quiet," MDB owner Kevin Kelley said. "But you can tell he was a real social kid, you could tell he had a lot of friends."
The fire escape which Blake and his friend were climbing separated from the building.
"It appears that they were, he and a friend were climbing an old fire escape, which doesn't appear that it was kept up," Kevin said.
Blake could not overcome his injuries.
A fund in his memory has been established to help everyone who loves basketball, which he cared so much about, be able to play.
It is something Kevin says his son felt strongly about. He says Blake lobbied against a $25 fee for kids who played in the city rec league.
They hope to raise $10,000 in all. Click here for information on how to donate.