“Minneapolis Man Charged with Murder in Vicious Attack on Robert Skafte, Popular Grocery Store Clerk”

Accident – death – Obituary News : A criminal complaint has been filed against Taylor Justin Schulz, a 44-year-old Minneapolis man, after he was caught on surveillance video attacking 66-year-old Robert Skafte, a popular grocery store clerk and neighborhood resident. Schulz is now facing second-degree murder charges for the vicious assault that took place at the Oak Grove Grocery.

The incident occurred when Minneapolis police responded to reports of a physical assault on an employee at 218 Grove St. When they arrived at the scene, they found Skafte lying on the ground behind the sales counter with severe blunt and sharp-force injuries to his head and face. Shockingly, he had also been impaled through his torso with the broken shaft of a golf club. Skafte was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, but unfortunately, he did not survive.

A witness who works at the Oak Groves Towers apartment building across the street from the store provided crucial information to investigators. The witness reported seeing a resident, later identified as Taylor Schulz, run into the apartment building with blood on his face and clothing. The witness directed the police to an apartment on the 16th floor, which belonged to Schulz.

However, when the police knocked on Schulz’s apartment door, he refused to let them in and yelled at them to “go away.” A standoff lasting approximately six hours ensued before Schulz finally opened the door and was taken into custody.

Homicide investigators managed to recover surveillance footage that showed Schulz entering the store and approaching the counter. The video captured the defendant launching a sudden and brutal attack on Skafte, repeatedly kneeing and punching him. The assault escalated as Schulz proceeded to choke, punch, and kick Skafte as he tried to escape.

In a horrifying turn of events, Schulz located a golf club behind the store counter and struck Skafte in the head with it eight times until the head finally broke off. The criminal complaint alleges that Schulz then took the broken golf club shaft and repeatedly stabbed Skafte, impaling him through the torso, before calmly walking out of the store.

Prosecutors noted that although Schulz and Skafte were approximately the same height, Schulz outweighed Skafte by about 100 pounds. Witnesses residing in Schulz’s apartment building informed the police that he had previously assaulted other residents, shedding light on his violent tendencies.

Following the incident, investigators executed a search warrant on Schulz’s apartment and discovered the clothing he had worn during the fatal attack. They believe he was attempting to wash the blood off with a bar of soap.

Robert Skafte was a highly regarded dancer and actor who was deeply committed to his community. According to friends and customers, he was passionate about gardening, art, and friendship. Skafte had dedicated two decades of his life to working at Oak Grove Grocery and played a crucial role in supporting the community garden and farmers market in Stevens Square.

As this shocking case unfolds, the community mourns the loss of a beloved individual. The brutal and senseless attack has left a lasting impact on all who knew Skafte, emphasizing the need for justice to be served..