A Marine veteran who was left paralyzed after being shot while working as a security guard was scheduled to testify next week against the man accused of attacking him. But a serious decline in his health has sent him back to the hospital, his family told News Media.
Jimmy Friesenhahn, a combat veteran who served on multiple overseas deployments, has been hospitalized for at least a week with complications from a blood clot that developed after August surgery, according to his sister, Becky Borjon.
“We encountered some medical setbacks, and he’s been hospitalized for a week now,” Borjon said. “Prior to that, he was in inpatient rehab for three weeks following a surgery he had on Aug. 28, and things just kind of took a turn.”
Marine Corps veteran Jimmy Friesenhahn was allegedly shot by an illegal migrant in May. (Credit: GoFundMe)
Friesenhahn had been expected to testify in a Bexar County courtroom during the trial of Wilmer Vladimir Ruiz Ortega, 29, a Honduran national accused of shooting him.
“Trial is scheduled to begin next week on the 20th,” Borjon said. “I believe they will start with jury selection and go from there. Jimmy was expected to appear and testify on his own behalf, and we are still hoping he will be able to do that.”
Ortega was arrested after allegedly shooting Friesenhahn at El Patio Sports Bar in San Antonio on May 4, 2025. Police said Friesenhahn noticed a gun in Ortega’s pocket and tried to prevent him from entering the establishment. A struggle followed, and Ortega allegedly fired several rounds.
Friesenhahn was hit twice in his bulletproof vest and once in the neck. The neck wound left him paralyzed and unable to speak, requiring round-the-clock medical care.
The arrest record of Wilmer Vladimir Ruiz Ortega, a 29-year-old illegal immigrant who allegedly shot a Marine veteran. (Fox News/America Reports)
Ortega faces charges of aggravated assault against a security officer and illegal entry into the United States. He is also involved in federal immigration proceedings.
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The shooting intensified criticism from Friesenhahn’s family, who cited Ortega’s prior criminal record in Texas. Court records show Ortega was arrested for driving while intoxicated in October 2020 and later arrested for a probation violation in August 2023.
He was arrested twice more for failing to appear in court, including an arrest in November 2024.
Becky Borjon and Emmanuel Martinez (Fox News/America Reports)
“His last court appearance was in March 2025, and Jimmy was shot on May 4, 2025,” said Emmanuel Martinez, Friesenhahn’s brother-in-law. “At that point, the DA’s office should have complied with removal orders and turned him over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.”
Borjon raised similar concerns, asking why Ortega remained free after multiple arrests.
“I’m not opposed to immigration, but there is a process set in place for a reason,” Borjon said. “This guy was arrested multiple times, released on bond and never reported. He had active warrants for repeated offenses while missing court appearances.”
“Those warrants should have been acted upon, and maybe we wouldn’t be here today. This guy should have been returned to his country.”
Friesenhahn’s family remains committed to seeing the case prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law while adjusting to the devastating consequences of his injuries.
“Unfortunately, we don’t see this as a road to recovery because there is no recovering from an injury like this. We see it as the beginning of a lifelong fight,” Borjon said. “My brother will never walk again. He will never be able to get married or raise a family.”
The Bexar County District Attorney’s Office declined to comment to News Media about the status of the case.