Law firm to examine access, security and prior complaints at Checkerboard Grain Elevator
Attorneys for an 18-year-old who fell from the decommissioned Checkerboard Grain Elevator in Minneapolis this month said Thursday they have launched a civil investigation into the circumstances of the fall and whether the property was properly secured.
The law firm Romanucci & Blandin said it represents Ash Ranallo-Korbel, who suffered serious injuries after falling roughly 20 stories from the riverfront elevator earlier this month. The firm announced it will review what led to the fall and whether security at the site had been adequate.
“Our prayers are extended to Ash for a full recovery from his extensive, catastrophic injuries,” said Antonio M. Romanucci with Romanucci & Blandin. “This simply never should have happened.”
The firm described the Checkerboard Grain Elevator as an attraction that had become easily accessible, saying security measures at the property were “lax.” Attorneys said there have been numerous reports and requests over several years to secure the site.
- Romanucci & Blandin will examine how the teenager accessed the elevator.
- The firm will look into whether property owners or managers took adequate steps to secure the decommissioned structure.
- Attorneys said they will review prior reports and complaints concerning the site.
The announcement comes as the city and community continue to reckon with safety issues posed by abandoned or decommissioned industrial structures along the Mississippi River. The Checkerboard facility has long been a visible presence on the Minneapolis riverfront, and the law firm’s statement suggests questions about who is responsible for preventing public access to hazardous sites.
The attorneys noted their firm’s experience in high-profile cases in the Twin Cities, including representation in the cases of Renee Good, Daunte Wright and George Floyd. The firm did not release additional details about potential defendants or the specific legal theories it may pursue.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Victim | Ash Ranallo-Korbel, 18 |
| Location | Checkerboard Grain Elevator, Minneapolis |
| Injury | Serious, described by attorneys as extensive, catastrophic |
| Height of fall | Approximately 20 stories |
City officials, property owners and Minneapolis Police did not immediately provide comment in response to the law firm’s announcement. The firm said it will examine whether the site was sufficiently secured and whether previous warnings or requests to address hazards were acted upon.
Minneapolis residents and riverfront visitors have raised safety concerns in recent years about several decommissioned industrial structures that attract trespassers, photographers and urban explorers. Advocates for stronger site security and property maintenance say unsecured structures pose risks not only to those who deliberately trespass but also to emergency responders and recreational users nearby.
Legal experts say civil investigations like the one announced by Romanucci & Blandin typically gather records, communications and maintenance histories to determine whether property owners, managers or others breached duties to protect the public. If the investigation identifies parties potentially liable, the firm may pursue litigation on behalf of the injured person.
The family and attorneys emphasized concern for Ranallo-Korbel’s recovery while pursuing answers about the circumstances that allowed access to the structure. The case raises broader questions for Minneapolis about enforcement, oversight and long-term plans for aging industrial properties along the river.
As the investigation proceeds, city officials and property stakeholders will likely face renewed pressure to review security measures and public messaging around hazardous, decommissioned sites.
