Minneapolis grocery store clerk impaled with golf club by attacker, police say

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota — A 66-year-old man working behind the counter at a small grocery store was killed when he was attacked and impaled with a golf club, police say.

The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports friends and family have identified the victim as Robert Skafte, who had worked for decades at Oak Grove Grocery. A suspect is in custody.

A news release from police says the attack was reported just before 1 p.m. Friday at the grocery store. When officers arrived, they found Skafte behind the counter and a golf club had been impaled through his torso.

Police and EMS workers performed medical aid on Skafte until he was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center, where he died of his wounds.

Information from witnesses helped police track the 44-year-old suspect to a nearby apartment. The suspect barricaded himself inside the apartment, prompting SWAT and a bomb squad to respond.

The suspect, whose identity has not been released, surrendered to police after nearly six hours of negotiations, police say.

Police are still trying to determine what led up to the attack. The Star-Tribune reports the suspect had selected some items while in the store and walked up to the counter before the attack.

The Star-Tribune reports Skafte was an accomplished dancer and had performed throughout the Minneapolis area.

“It’s hard to wrap your head around something so tragic happening to someone so sweet,” said Myron Johnson, founder of Ballet of the Dolls, for which Skafte had performed. “Robert was rare because he was a great dancer who could also act. He was such a bright light.”