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SHINER – An 80-year-old Shiner man who lives alone was stabbed twice in the face Monday night during a home invasion.

A 15-year-old boy is in juvenile custody after giving police a statement Wednesday about the incident.

Max Friedrich, who was taken to Yoakum Community Hospital, was listed in stable condition Wednesday, said assistant police chief Brian Berkman.

At about 9 p.m. Monday, Shiner patrolman Zachary Kramer went to Friedrich’s home in the 500 block of West Ninth Street after receiving a call about the home invasion, Berkman said.

The boy was taken into custody at 1 p.m. Wednesday and gave a statement about his involvement, Berkman said. He was taken to the Victoria County Juvenile Detention Center in Victoria.

Shiner police got a break in the case after the Yoakum Police Department received a call about the boy and detained him, Berkman said.

Police continue to investigate the case but believe the stabbing was an isolated incident, Berkman said.

“I’ve been here 23 years. This is the first home invasion stabbing we’ve had in 23 years,” Police Chief Adam Brunkenhoefer said. “It’s a horrible thing. To me, there’s no sense in taking a knife to an 80-year-old man. That’s where it totally draws the line.”

When Brunkenhoefer went to talk with neighbors, he found out Friedrich is a man loved by his community. He said the folks knew Friedrich lived alone and tried to watch out for him. The neighbors didn’t see what happened Monday night.

Lavaca County Judge Ronnie Leck, who lives in Shiner, said Friedrich is a great neighbor, always waving at him across the lawn.

“He’s very kind and trusting person,” Leck said. “If you see him in the stores, he’ll always greet you. He’s a fellow citizen in the small community of Shiner.”

Mayor Henry Kalich said the 2,100 residents of Shiner might have to be more careful now.

“We’re still the kind of town you can leave your doors open and walk down the streets at night,” Kalich said. “When things happen like that, it’s a little shocking to the citizens.”

Unfortunately, times are changing and residents will have to start locking their homes, Brunkenhoefer said.

“I hope that the justice system now does its part,” the police chief said. “There needs to be a message sent to anybody who’s going to assault an elderly individual.

Tara Bozick is a reporter for the Advocate. Contact her at 361-580-6504 or tbozick@vicad.com.