Prosecutors have filed murder charges against Taylor Justin Schulz, the accused killer who used a golf club to brutally attack Robert Skafte, a well-known figure in the Loring Park neighborhood. Skafte, a 66-year-old acclaimed ballet dancer, was found behind the counter of Oak Grove Grocery store with a golf club impaled through his torso. The incident took place just before 1 p.m. on Friday, leaving the community in mourning.

Schulz, a 44-year-old resident of 215 Oak Grove Street, which is situated across the street from the grocery store, barricaded himself in his apartment after the killing. Police arrested him following a six-hour standoff. The recently filed charges also indicate that Schulz had previously assaulted other apartment residents, leading to the charges of second-degree murder.

According to witnesses, Skafte was working when Schulz entered the store and approached the counter as if to purchase merchandise. However, without warning, Schulz began physically attacking Skafte, kneeing, punching, and choking him. Despite Skafte's attempts to escape, Schulz dragged him back by his shirt, continuing the assault. Schulz then retrieved a golf club from behind the counter and struck Skafte multiple times in the head and neck until the club broke. He proceeded to stab Skafte with the broken shaft before impaling him in the torso.

Authorities responded to the scene after a witness observed a resident covered in blood returning to Schulz's apartment. The police knocked on Schulz's door on the 16th floor, but he refused to cooperate. After six hours, he finally opened the door and was taken into custody. During a search of his apartment, officers discovered clothing that Schulz had apparently attempted to clean with a bar of soap.

The Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office, on Monday, confirmed that Skafte's cause of death was multiple penetrating and blunt force injuries. Skafte's friends and neighbors have created a memorial outside the grocery store to honor his memory.

Though court records highlight Schulz's mental illness, including a diagnosis of schizophrenia and self-reported PTSD, they do not provide a motive for the killing. Schulz has his first court appearance scheduled for Tuesday, but his attorney has yet to be listed.

The Loring Park neighborhood, where Skafte was a beloved figure, has come together to remember him as a warm and welcoming presence. Tony Gutoski, a neighbor who rushed to Skafte's aid after the attack, recounted Skafte's words about the assailant being "crazy" and coming back to attack him. Skafte fought back, but lost consciousness before being assisted outside the store.

The future of Oak Grove Grocery remains uncertain, with the owner unsure if the store will reopen. For Skafte's loved ones and the community, the tragic loss of a cherished individual has left a deep void that will be felt for years to come.