Marine Veteran's Testimony Against Accused Shooter Delayed by Health Crisis

The trial of a man accused of shooting and paralyzing a U.S. Marine Corps veteran is facing a potential delay as the victim has been hospitalized due to health complications. Jimmy Friesenhahn, the veteran, was expected to testify next week against Wilmer Vladimir Ruiz Ortega, an alleged undocumented immigrant from Honduras.

Friesenhahn's sister, Becky Borjon, told Fox News Digital that her brother has been hospitalized for about a week following complications from a blood clot that arose after surgery on August 28. He had previously been in an inpatient rehabilitation facility for three weeks.

"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."

The trial was scheduled to begin on June 20 in a Bexar County courtroom, with jury selection expected to start then. Friesenhahn had been slated to testify on his own behalf.

Ortega was arrested for allegedly shooting Friesenhahn on May 4, 2025, outside El Patio Sports Bar in San Antonio. Police reported that Friesenhahn, working as a security guard, spotted a gun in Ortega's pocket and attempted to prevent him from entering the establishment. A struggle reportedly ensued, during which Ortega allegedly fired multiple shots.

Friesenhahn was struck twice in his bulletproof vest and once in the neck. The neck wound resulted in paralysis, loss of speech, and the need for full-time medical care. He is a combat veteran with multiple overseas deployments.

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.

Friesenhahn's family has expressed outrage, citing Ortega's alleged criminal history in Texas prior to the shooting. Court records indicate Ortega was arrested for driving while intoxicated in October 2020 and faced a probation violation charge in August 2023. He was also arrested multiple times 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 echoed these sentiments, questioning the suspect's presence in the U.S. despite multiple arrests and missed court dates. "I’m not opposed to immigration, but there is a process set in place for a reason," Borjon stated. "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 is committed to seeing the case prosecuted fully, while grappling with the permanent nature 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 has declined to comment on the case's status.