War vet severely beaten during home invasion

SOUTH HOUSTON, TX

South Houston police say they've been busy as of late. They're investigating a drive-by shooting where two people were shot outside of a home, a fatal home invasion and now this home invasion.

Thomas Mixon is a proud Marine and Korean War vet. He's the owner of Mixon's Memories Museum. We shot video of him in August 2009 when we interviewed him about a tribute he was creating to women in the military.

"I see a lot of women and people don't realize what they go through," Mixon said during the 2009 interview.

He's such an advocate for the city of South Houston and is so well known there that he is unofficially nicknamed "the mayor."

So when the 79-year-old was beaten during a home invasion on Monday, family and friends took it hard.

"The whole neighborhood is just in shock, and I won't open my door to anybody now," neighbor Marie Lacy said.

Police are holding Charles Jacquard Turner on a $500,000 bond. He's charged with aggravated robbery.

Police say Turner entered Mixon's home through an unlocked rear patio door and beat Mixon, causing serious injuries to Mixon's face and head. Turner allegedly ransacked a room, stole several weapons and fled in Mixon's truck.

Investigators say Turner caused a disturbance earlier that day at a nearby T-Mobile store. He then stole a bike at a nearby apartment complex. That bike was found outside Mixon's home.

An eyewitness identified Turner, telling police she'd seen him earlier in the day.

"Was knocking on doors and I believe this particular witness did not open their door so he left that location and he ended up at Mr. Mixon's home," South Houston Police Department Police Chief Herbert Gilbert said.

This man fears for the safety of his parents who live in the same neighborhood and are about the same age as Mixon. He says jail is too good for Turner.

"This guys a lowlife scumbag that needs to be underneath the jail," neighbor Charles Rice.

Mixon is at Memorial Hermann Hospital in ICU in critical condition. He spent most of Wednesday in surgery.

A family spokesperson says every bone in his face is broken, but he'd want everyone to know he's surviving because he's one tough Marine.