The family of Jimmy Friesenhahn has criticized trial delays and outlined the brutal daily reality of his life-altering injuries.
A decorated Marine veteran, left paralyzed after being shot while honorably serving as a security guard, was slated to testify against his alleged illegal immigrant attacker in court next week. However, a sudden and severe downturn in his health has tragically forced him back into the hospital, his family revealed to Fox News Digital. This unexpected setback casts a dark cloud over the pursuit of justice for a man who sacrificed for his country.
Jimmy Friesenhahn, a combat veteran with multiple overseas deployments, has been hospitalized for at least a week due to grave complications from a blood clot following an August surgery. His sister, Becky Borjon, painted a stark picture of his ongoing battle.
"We encountered some medical setbacks, and he's been hospitalized for a week now," Borjon shared. "Prior to that, he was in inpatient rehab for three weeks following a surgery he had on August 28, and things just kind of took a turn."
Marine Corps veteran Jimmy Friesenhahn was allegedly shot by an illegal migrant in May.
Friesenhahn was expected to bravely take the stand in a Bexar County courtroom during the upcoming trial of Wilmer Vladimir Ruiz Ortega, 29, a Honduran national accused of the life-altering shooting. His ability to testify is now in question.
"Trial is scheduled to begin next week on the 20th," Borjon explained, underlining the urgency. "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."
The horrific incident unfolded at El Patio Sports Bar in San Antonio on May 4, 2025. Police reports indicate Friesenhahn, ever vigilant, spotted a gun in Ortega's pocket and attempted to prevent him from entering the establishment. A struggle ensued, during which Ortega allegedly unleashed multiple rounds. Friesenhahn was struck twice in his bulletproof vest and once in the neck. The neck wound left him paralyzed, robbed him of his speech, and condemned him to a life requiring full-time medical care.
The arrest record of Wilmer Vladimir Ruiz Ortega, a 29-year-old illegal immigrant who allegedly shot a Marine veteran.
Ortega now faces charges of aggravated assault against a security officer and illegal entry into the United States. Furthermore, he is the subject of federal immigration proceedings — a damning indictment of a system that allowed a dangerous individual to remain on American soil.
The shooting has ignited rightful outrage from Friesenhahn's family, who vehemently point to Ortega's extensive prior criminal record in Texas. Court records lay bare a pattern of disregard for American law: Ortega was arrested for driving while intoxicated in October 2020, followed by an August 2023 arrest for a probation violation. Astoundingly, he was arrested two more times for failing to appear in court, including a November 2024 arrest.
Becky Borjon and Emmanuel Martinez
"His last court appearance was in March 2025, and Jimmy was shot on May 4, 2025," stated Emmanuel Martinez, Friesenhahn's brother-in-law, highlighting the tragic proximity of these events. "At that point, the DA's office should have complied with removal orders and turned him over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement."
Borjon powerfully echoed those concerns, exposing the inexplicable failure of the system that allowed Ortega to remain free despite repeated offenses against the public trust.
"I'm not opposed to immigration, but there is a process set in place for a reason," Borjon asserted. "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." And somehow, they still expect Americans not to notice the consequences of such systemic breakdowns.
Despite the profound medical challenges and the agonizing reality of his condition, Friesenhahn's family remains unyielding in their demand for maximum justice. They are coming to terms with the devastating reality of injuries that will forever alter his life.
"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 confessed, her words painting a heartbreaking picture. "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, in a move that offers little comfort, declined to comment to Fox News Digital on the status of the case. This silence only further underscores the lack of accountability and the urgent need for robust border security and law enforcement that prioritizes American citizens and veterans. This tragedy is a stark reminder of the devastating consequences when our laws are ignored and our borders are left unprotected, leaving American heroes vulnerable to those who have no right to be here.
