Minnesota Man Accused of 'Grotesque' Killing of Grocery Store Clerk Impaled With Golf Club

A man in Minnesota has been arrested after he allegedly beat a grocery store clerk and then impaled him with a golf club, according to authorities.

Around 1 p.m. on Dec. 8, officers responded to a call about a stabbing in Minneapolis and found the victim, later identified as 66-year-old Robert Skafte, at a store “behind the counter with a golf club impaled through his torso,” according to the Minneapolis Police Department.

The victim was transported to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries, officials said.

Witnesses provided investigators with details about the suspect, 44-year-old Taylor Schulz, and they quickly located him at an apartment nearby.

Schulz reportedly barricaded himself inside the building, so a SWAT team, bomb squad and drone unit were called in for assistance, officials said. After six hours, Schulz reportedly surrendered.

Skafte reportedly was found in a pool of blood at Oak Grove Grocery. He suffering wounds to his head and face, and he had a golf shaft embedded in his torso, according to a criminal complaint obtained by KARE-TV.

Schulz reportedly lived in the apartment building across the street from the grocery store on the 16th floor, officials said.

Detectives obtained surveillance video, which allegedly showed Schulz beating Skafte, then choking and punching him, authorities said.

Schulz allegedly hit Skafe in the head multiple times with the golf club, then impaled him with the club when the head of the golf club fell off, police said.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara alleged the video showed Schulz going behind the counter and assaulting and bludgeoning the victim in a “very grotesque way,” the Associated Press reported.

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Detectives searched Schulz’s apartment and reportedly found clothing they believe the suspect was wearing when the incident occurred, and they believe he was washing the blood off them, officials said.

Schulz was arrested and booked into the Hennepin County Jail. He faces a charge of second-degree murder.

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."