Jimmy Friesenhahn, a paralyzed Marine veteran who was shot while working as a security guard in San Antonio, May 4, 2025, was set to testify against his alleged attacker, Wilmer Vladimir Ruiz Ortega. However, health issues, including complications from an August surgery and blood clots, have delayed Friesenhahn’s testimony. Ortega, a Honduran national with multiple arrests for various offenses, is charged with aggravated assault against a security officer and illegal entry into the United States. Friesenhahn’s family criticizes the legal system for not addressing Ortega's repeated failures to appear in court and comply with removal orders.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-25,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Jimmy Friesenhahn, a paralyzed Marine veteran who was shot while working as a security guard, was set to testify in a Bexar County courtroom against his alleged attacker, Wilmer Vladimir Ruiz Ortega, a 29-year-old Honduran national, scheduled for trial on September 20. However, Friesenhahn's health deteriorated due to complications from a blood clot after an August surgery, forcing him back into the hospital at least a week prior. His sister, Becky Borjon, stated that Friesenhahn had been in rehabilitation for three weeks before his current medical setback. The veteran's family hopes he can still testify on his own behalf despite these health issues.
Written for “Paralyzed Marine Vet Shot By Migrant” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 1 other(s) covering the same event.
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.
asserted
family → leave → 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.
uncertain
Friesenhahn → hospitalize → sister
"We encountered some medical setbacks, and he's been hospitalized for a week now," Borjon said.
asserted
Borjon → encounter → week
"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.
asserted
things → follow → 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.
asserted
Friesenhahn → expect → him
"Trial is scheduled to begin next week on the 20th," Borjon said.
asserted
Borjon → schedule → 20th
"I believe they will start with jury selection and go from there.
asserted
they → believe → selection
Jimmy was expected to appear and testify on his own behalf, and we are still hoping he will be able to do that."
asserted
he → expect → that
Ortega was arrested after allegedly shooting Friesenhahn at El Patio Sports Bar in San Antonio May 4, 2025.
uncertain
Ortega → arrest → Antonio
Police said Friesenhahn spotted a gun in Ortega’s pocket and tried to stop him from entering the venue.
asserted
Friesenhahn → say → venue
A struggle ensued, during which Ortega allegedly fired multiple rounds.
uncertain
Ortega → ensue → rounds
Friesenhahn was struck twice in his bulletproof vest and once in the neck.
asserted
Friesenhahn → strike → neck
The wound to his neck left him paralyzed, unable to speak and in need of full-time medical care.
asserted
wound → leave → care
Ortega was charged with aggravated assault against a security officer and illegal entry into the United States.
asserted
Ortega → charge → States
The shooting sparked outrage from Friesenhahn’s family, who pointed to Ortega’s extensive prior criminal record in Texas.
asserted
who → spark → Texas
Court records show Ortega was arrested for driving while intoxicated in October 2020, followed by an August 2023 arrest for a probation violation.
asserted
Ortega → show → violation
He was arrested two more times for failing to appear in court, including a November 2024 arrest.
asserted
He → arrest → 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.
uncertain
Martinez → shoot → law
"At that point, the DA’s office should have complied with removal orders and turned him over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement."
asserted
office → comply → Immigration
Borjon echoed those concerns, questioning why Ortega remained free despite repeated offenses.
asserted
Ortega → echo → offenses
"I’m not opposed to immigration, but there is a process set in place for a reason," Borjon said.
asserted
Borjon → be → reason
"This guy was arrested multiple times, released on bond and never reported.
asserted
guy → arrest → bond
He had active warrants for repeated offenses while missing court appearances.
asserted
He → have → appearances
"Those warrants should have been acted upon, and maybe we wouldn’t be here today.
asserted
we → act → ?
This guy should have been returned to his country."
asserted
guy → return → 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.
asserted
case → remain → injuries
"Unfortunately, we don’t see this as a road to recovery because there is no recovering from an injury like this.
asserted
we → see → this
We see it as the beginning of a lifelong fight," Borjon said.
asserted
Borjon → see → fight
"My brother will never walk again.
asserted
brother → walk → ?
He will never be able to get married or raise a family."
asserted
He → marry → family
The Bexar County District Attorney's Office declined to comment to Fox News Digital on the status of the case.
asserted
Office → decline → case
The Aporia
