A Marine veteran who was paralyzed after being shot while working as a security guard was expected to testify in court next week against the man accused of attacking him. However, a serious decline in his health has forced him to return to the hospital, his family told Fox News Digital.
Jimmy Friesenhahn, a combat veteran who served on multiple overseas deployments, has been hospitalized for at least a week because of 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.”
Friesenhahn was scheduled to testify in a Bexar County courtroom during the upcoming 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.
According to police, Friesenhahn noticed a gun in Ortega’s pocket and attempted to prevent him from entering the bar. A struggle followed, and Ortega allegedly fired several shots.
Two bullets struck Friesenhahn’s bulletproof vest, while another hit him in the neck. The neck injury left him paralyzed and unable to speak, requiring round-the-clock medical care.
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 prompted outrage from Friesenhahn’s family, who criticized what they described as Ortega’s lengthy criminal history in Texas.
Court records show Ortega was arrested for driving while intoxicated in October 2020. He was arrested again in August 2023 for violating probation.
He was later arrested twice for failing to appear in court, including an arrest in November 2024.
“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 questions, asking why Ortega remained free despite his repeated arrests and alleged violations.
“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, even as they confront the permanent 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 Fox News Digital about the status of the case.
