In a shocking incident that has left the community of Minneapolis reeling, a beloved local store clerk was tragically killed on Friday after a customer allegedly impaled him with a golf club. The victim, identified as 66-year-old Robert Skafte, was a well-known figure in the city's arts community and was described as a "bright light" by those who knew him.

The horrifying incident took place at Oak Grove Grocery in Loring Park, where Skafte worked. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara addressed the media at a press conference, stating that it appeared the suspect had entered the store and approached the counter with items to purchase. However, instead of completing the transaction, the suspect went behind the counter and launched a brutal assault on Skafte in a "grotesque way."

First responders were swiftly called to the scene after receiving reports of a stabbing, where they found Skafte impaled behind the counter. Despite their efforts to save his life, Skafte succumbed to his injuries at Hennepin County Medical Center.

Following the incident, a suspect was apprehended after a grueling six-hour standoff at an apartment building across the street from the grocery store. The arrest involved negotiators, a SWAT team, a drone unit, and a bomb squad. The suspect, identified as 44-year-old Taylor Schulz, was eventually taken into custody, but police have yet to disclose a possible motive for the crime.

As news of the tragedy spread, friends and community members came forward to pay tribute to Skafte, emphasizing his role as a beloved member of the neighborhood and arts community. Stephanie Grey, a close friend of Skafte, spoke about his involvement in the Stevens Square Community Organization, where he regularly volunteered for local gardens and farmers markets. Jose Herrera, a community leader, lauded Skafte's contributions to the neighborhood, stating that it was impossible to quantify all the ways he had helped.

Skafte's impact extended beyond his community involvement. He was also a renowned local dancer who frequently performed across the city. Myron Johnson, founder of Ballet of the Dolls, a dance company with which Skafte had collaborated, remembered him as "such a bright light." Johnson described Skafte as not only a talented dancer but also a skilled actor.

The shock and grief felt by the community were palpable, as people struggled to come to terms with the senseless loss of such a beloved figure. Tony Gutoski, a neighbor who frequented the grocery store, discovered Skafte shortly after the attack and described finding him on his knees, still conscious, with the golf club impaled through his abdomen. Gutoski expressed his anger and sorrow, stating, "He was a great dude."

As the investigation continues, the Minneapolis Police Department's homicide investigators are working to piece together the events leading up to the stabbing. The community, however, remains united in their mourning of Skafte, with dozens gathering for a memorial to honor his memory. Myron Johnson summed up the sentiments felt by many, struggling to comprehend the tragedy that had befallen someone so kind-hearted and talented: "It's tough to imagine something so tragic happening to someone so sweet.".