Minneapolis man accused impaling victim with golf club in 'grotesque' killing

MINNEAPOLIS (TCD) -- A 44-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder for allegedly beating a store employee and impaling him with a golf club.

On Friday, Dec. 8, at 12:55 p.m., Minneapolis Police Department officers responded to a stabbing call on the 200 block of Oak Grove Street and found a 66-year-old man at a store "behind the counter with a golf club impaled through his torso." Medics arrived at the scene and transported him to a nearby hospital, where he died.

Witnesses provided details about the suspect, and officers quickly located him at an apartment nearby. The suspect reportedly barricaded himself inside the building, which resulted in a SWAT team, bomb squad, and drone unit coming in for assistance. The suspect surrendered after six hours.

KARE-TV reports the victim has been identified as Robert Skafte and the suspect as Taylor Schulz.

Hennepin County Jail records show Schulz was booked on a charge of second-degree murder.

According to KARE, Skafte was found in a pool of blood on the ground of Oak Grove Grocery with wounds on his head and face, as well as a golf shaft in his torso. Schulz reportedly lives in the apartment building across the street from the grocery store, and one of the residents told police Schulz lived on the 16th floor.

KARE reports surveillance video obtained by detectives allegedly showed Schulz beating Skafte, then choking and punching him. He allegedly hit Skafte in the head multiple times with the golf club, then impaled him when the golf club’s head fell off.

Minneapolis Police detectives obtained a warrant to search his apartment and reportedly found clothing they believe Schulz wore when the incident occurred. He was believed to have been washing the blood off with soap.

According to The Associated Press, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said the video shows Schulz seems to have gone "behind the counter and then began to assault and bludgeon the individual behind the counter in a very grotesque way."

Minnesota Public Radio reports Skafte was a talented and revered dancer who performed with the Westside School of Ballet and Kansas City Ballet.

In a statement, Oak Grove Grocery said, "Robert was the definition of a good neighbor, a true friend, and the best teammate. He was the light of the neighborhood and our world will forever be a little less bright without him in it."

MORE:

• Man Dies After Stabbing - Minneapolis Police Department
• Murder charges filed in impaling death of beloved grocery clerk, community member - KARE
• Hennepin County Jail inmate information
• Minnesota grocery store clerk dies after customer impales him with a golf club, police say - The Associated Press
• Man killed in Minneapolis grocery store was acclaimed dancer - Minnesota Public Radio