Jimmy Friesenhahn, a Marine Corps veteran who was left paralyzed after being shot while working as a security guard, has been hospitalized due to complications from a blood clot, delaying his planned testimony against his alleged attacker.
Friesenhahn's sister, Becky Borjon, told Fox News Digital that her brother has been in the hospital for at least a week. He was recovering from surgery on August 28 and had been in inpatient rehabilitation for three weeks before experiencing a "severe downturn" in his health. His condition has forced him back into the hospital.
The trial for Wilmer Vladimir Ruiz Ortega, 29, the Honduran national accused of shooting Friesenhahn, was scheduled to begin on June 20. Friesenhahn was expected to testify on his own behalf, but his family hopes he will still be able to do so.
Ortega was arrested after allegedly shooting Friesenhahn at El Patio Sports Bar in San Antonio on May 4, 2025. Police stated that Friesenhahn, a security guard, noticed a firearm in Ortega's pocket and attempted to prevent 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, resulting in paralysis, the inability to speak, and a need for full-time medical care.
Ortega faces charges of aggravated assault against a security officer and illegal entry into the United States. He is also subject to federal immigration proceedings. Friesenhahn's family has expressed outrage, highlighting Ortega's prior criminal record in Texas, which includes arrests for DWI in October 2020 and a probation violation in August 2023, followed by two additional arrests for failure to appear in court, including one 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 questioned why Ortega remained free despite multiple arrests and missed court appearances, suggesting that action on his warrants could have prevented the shooting. "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 while acknowledging 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 declined to comment on the case status.