Minneapolis Man Charged with Murder in Vicious Attack on Grocery Store Clerk Robert Skafte

A 44-year-old man from Minneapolis, Taylor Justin Schulz, has been charged with murder following a brutal attack on a well-known grocery store clerk and resident of the neighborhood. The criminal complaint, filed on Monday, details the allegations against Schulz, who now faces second-degree murder charges for the fatal assault on 66-year-old Robert Skafte while he was working at the Oak Grove Grocery.

Minneapolis police were called to the scene after receiving reports of a physical assault on an employee. They found Skafte lying on the ground behind the sales counter, suffering from severe injuries to his head and face caused by blunt and sharp-force trauma. In a shocking discovery, Skafte was also found impaled through his torso with the broken shaft of a golf club. Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, Skafte did not survive.

A witness from the Oak Groves Towers apartment building across the street informed investigators that they saw Schulz, a resident of the building, running inside with blood on his face and clothing. The police identified Schulz’s apartment on the 16th floor, but he refused to open the door, leading to a six-hour standoff before he was finally taken into custody.

Homicide investigators recovered surveillance footage showing Schulz entering the store and immediately attacking Skafte. The video captures Schulz kneeing, punching, choking, and kicking the victim as he tried to escape. Eventually, Schulz found a golf club behind the counter and struck Skafte in the head eight times until it broke. He then repeatedly stabbed Skafte with the broken shaft, impaling him through the torso, before leaving the store.

Prosecutors note that Schulz outweighed Skafte by approximately 100 pounds, and witnesses in the apartment building claimed that he had previously assaulted other residents. A search warrant executed at Schulz’s apartment led to the recovery of the clothing he wore during the attack, which authorities believe he tried to clean with a bar of soap.

Robert Skafte, the victim, was not only a dedicated grocery store clerk but also an acclaimed dancer and actor. He was known for his passion for gardening, art, and friendship. Skafte had been working at Oak Grove Grocery for twenty years and was actively involved in the community garden and farmers market in Stevens Square.

This shocking incident has left the community in mourning, as they remember a beloved member who made significant contributions to the neighborhood.