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Minneapolis grocery killing suspect ruled incompetent for trial
The judge in Taylor Schultz’s criminal case scheduled a follow-up hearing in July to review possible developments regarding his mental state.
MINNEAPOLIS — Editor’s note: The video above first aired on KARE 11 on Dec. 9, 2023.
The suspect accused of killing a widely beloved Minneapolis man and grocery store clerk was ruled incompetent to stand trial, placing his criminal case on hold until further notice.
A Hennepin County judge made the decision after officials revealed details of 44-year-old Taylor Schultz’s court-ordered psychological evaluation. Schultz is accused of beating 66-year-old Robert Skafte before impaling him with a golf club at Loring Park’s Oak Grove Grocery, where Skafte worked as a clerk, on Dec. 6.
Skafte was taken to the hospital for treatment, but ultimately died from his injuries. After the killing, Schultz reportedly barricaded himself inside a nearby apartment for nearly six hours before he was arrested without incident. He was later charged with second-degree murder in Skafte’s death.
Hennepin County Attorney’s Office spokesman Nicholas Kimball says Schulz will remain in secure custody while a thorough review of the defendant’s criminal history and circumstances is conducted. Only then can the County Attorney’s Office move forward with civil commitment proceedings.
“If a judge determines that Schulz meets commitment criteria, treatment efforts to assist Schulz in attaining competence will begin,” Kimball said in response to a KARE inquiry. “If he is found to be competent in the future, the County Attorney’s Office will immediately resume proceedings in the criminal case.”
Skafte, a well-respected and longtime fixture in the Twin Cities community, was remembered by his friends as an avid gardener and acclaimed dancer who worked tirelessly to “get people involved.”
“He tried to get people involved to make the neighborhood not just livable, but beautiful,” said Tay Sullivan, the at-large board member of the Stevens Square Community Organization. “It’s really gut-wrenching.”
Skafte had worked at the grocery store for two decades before his death, but was also known for his efforts within community gardening and his talent for dance — notably, as an 18-year performer with Minneapolis’ Ballet of the Dolls.
“He made my life better,” said Myron Johnson, Ballet of the Dolls founder and choreographer. “He was part of my family, and I knew I was part of his family. He was passionate about gardening, about art, about friendship. We need people like Robert in the world.”
The judge in Schultz’s criminal case scheduled a follow-up hearing in July to review possible developments regarding his mental state. Until then, Schultz remains in custody at the Hennepin County Jail.
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Last week, prosecutors charged John Sawchak with attempted 2nd-degree murder and other felony charges after he allegedly shot his neighbor Davis Moturi.
MINNEAPOLIS — Following the shooting between two neighbors, the Minneapolis City Council voted unanimously to request that the city’s auditor conduct an independent investigation into the incidents and cases between Davis Moturi and John Sawchak.
Moturi was allegedly shot by his neighbor, Sawchak, on Wednesday, Oct. 23 but Minneapolis police did not arrest Sawchak until days later.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara defended not arresting Sawchak sooner, calling it a “high-risk” situation. O’Hara later said the victim, who had complained about harassment from Sawchak for months, was failed by police. Sawchak was arrested this past weekend after an hours-long standoff.
Moturi suffered a fractured spine, two broken ribs, and a concussion in the shooting. “Mr. Moturi’s life matters and I’m sorry that for nearly a year, MPD did not treat it like it did,” said Council Member Robin Wonsley in a news release, “Today’s vote affirms that the City Council is committed to taking meaningful actions towards accountability and restoration, starting with this independent review.”
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey released this statement:
“Mayor Frey fully supports an independent review of this incident. The mayor and City are committed to always doing better, and this means closely examining past actions and finding where there may be ways to improve and grow. The mayor extends his condolences to Davis Moturi, his wife, Caroline, and their family and friends. The safety of our residents is a top priority and any form of violence or hate speech is completely unacceptable and does not align with who we are as a community. Brian O’Hara will continue to be the Minneapolis Police Chief.”
“This Valentine’s Day, 2025, will mark the five-year anniversary of the premiere of ‘Love is Blind,” Vanessa said on the Season 7 finale. “And, it is gonna be the launch of Season 8, which takes place in Minneapolis.”
The episode also revealed three of the new cast members, one of whom, “Alex,” told Lachey Minneapolis is “not like a major city, but it’s also not a small town,” which he said is just one of the obstacles in his way of finding the one.
“I just never found the right person that clicked for me,” he said.
Meantime, you can bone up on Seasons 1-7 streaming now on Netflix.
MINNEAPOLIS — How much do you know about your grandma’s upbringing?
“The Stories From My Grandmother’s Hands” is a book that aims to show young Black children how their grandmas lived through beautiful illustrations and descriptions.
KARE 11 News at Noon shared more on Thursday about the impact that this book will have.
