U.S. Marine veteran Jimmy Friesenhahn, who was left paralyzed and unable to speak after being shot by an alleged illegal immigrant, received a Father’s Day visit from his 5-month-old daughter that brought newfound strength amid his devastating injuries. Friesenhahn showed marked improvement when his infant daughter visited him on Father’s Day, a moment that family members described as motivational for his ongoing recovery. What kind of legal consequences can the shooter Ortega Ruiz face given his history of previous arrests and illegal entry into the United States?
Marine Veteran Shot by Alleged Illegal Immigrant
Jimmy Friesenhahn, a 27-year-old Marine Corps veteran, was working security at El Patio Sports Bar in San Antonio when the unthinkable happened. On May 25, he was allegedly shot three times by Wilmer Vladmir Ortega Ruiz, leaving him with catastrophic injuries including a ruptured esophagus, damaged vocal cords, and a spinal injury that has left him paralyzed and unable to speak.
According to family members, Friesenhahn’s heroic actions likely prevented further violence inside the establishment. “Jimmy’s sacrifice saved people because there’s stories that the guy was going to go inside and do something in that place,” said Emmanuel Martinez, Friesenhahn’s brother-in-law who established a GoFundMe to help with mounting medical expenses.
SAY HIS NAME: Jimmy Friesenhahn
Jimmy, a Marine Corps veteran from Texas, is currently fighting for his life after he was allegedly shot by an illegal alien who had been arrested FOUR TIMES and RELEASED EVERY TIME.
Jimmy is now paralyzed and can no longer speak.
Please say a… pic.twitter.com/3nzJKH6vKq
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) June 13, 2025
Questions Raised About Suspect’s Immigration Status
The case has garnered significant attention due to reports that Ortega Ruiz is an illegal immigrant with a troubling history of legal issues. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has placed a detainer on Ortega Ruiz, who allegedly had prior arrests including a DWI charge in 2020.
Family members have expressed frustration with how the case is being handled by local authorities. “It’s ridiculous the way the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, the DA, the Bexar County judges, the whole justice system here is not caring and letting this guy off time after time,” Martinez said, reflecting growing concerns about the handling of cases involving repeat offenders with immigration violations.
Marine Corps veteran Jimmy Friesenhahn is currently fighting for his life, paralyzed and without the ability to speak after being shot by an illegal migrant who had been arrested and released 4 times before.
And his outraged family tells me the Democratic District Attorney in… pic.twitter.com/mdITSuiEi3
— Jennie Taer 🎗️ (@JennieSTaer) June 8, 2025
Father’s Day Visit Brings Hope Amid Tragedy
Despite the grim prognosis, a poignant moment of hope emerged when Friesenhahn celebrated his first Father’s Day with his 5-month-old daughter at his hospital bedside. After enduring seven surgeries and battling ICU delirium, family members reported that the visit from his infant daughter provided a significant boost to his motivation and spirits.
The Bexar County District Attorney’s Office has pursued aggravated assault charges against Ortega Ruiz, setting his bond at $200,000. However, Friesenhahn’s family believes this charge falls short of reflecting the severity of the crime, with his sister Evangelina Borjon stating, “That’s attempted murder, that’s not aggravated assault.”