A Marine veteran left paralyzed after being shot while working as a security guard was slated to testify against his alleged illegal immigrant attacker in court next week until a sudden, severe downturn in his health forced him back into the hospital, his family told Fox News Digital.
Jimmy Friesenhahn, a combat veteran with multiple overseas deployments, has been hospitalized for at least a week due to complications from a blood clot after an 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 expected to take the stand in a Bexar County courtroom during the upcoming trial of Wilmer Vladimir Ruiz Ortega, 29, the 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 May 4, 2025.
Police said Friesenhahn spotted a gun in Ortega’s pocket and tried to stop him from entering the venue. A struggle ensued, during which Ortega allegedly fired multiple rounds.
Friesenhahn was struck twice in his bulletproof vest and once in the neck. The wound to his neck left him paralyzed, unable to speak and in need of full-time medical care.
Ortega was charged with aggravated assault against a security officer and illegal entry into the United States. He is also the subject of federal immigration proceedings.
The shooting sparked outrage from Friesenhahn’s family, who pointed to Ortega’s extensive prior criminal record in Texas.
Court records show Ortega was arrested for driving while intoxicated in October 2020, followed by an August 2023 arrest for a probation violation.
He was arrested two more times for failing to appear in court, including a November 2024 arrest.
“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 echoed those concerns, questioning why Ortega remained free despite repeated offenses.
“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 determined to see the case prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, while coming to terms with the reality of his life-altering 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 on the status of the case.
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