A Texas Marine veteran lies paralyzed and unable to speak after being shot three times by an illegal immigrant while working as a security guard at a San Antonio bar.

At a Glance

• Jimmy Friesenhahn, a Marine Corps veteran who served 14 years with multiple overseas deployments, was critically injured while attempting to disarm an illegal immigrant at El Patio Sports Bar in San Antonio.
• The alleged shooter, Wilmer Vladmir Ortega Ruiz, is an illegal immigrant with a history of prior arrests who had been allowed to walk free after failing to appear in court multiple times.
• Friesenhahn is now paralyzed and unable to speak after being shot three times, including in the neck, during the confrontation.
• The Bexar County District Attorney’s Office has charged Ortega Ruiz with aggravated assault with a $200,000 bond, though Friesenhahn’s family believes attempted murder charges would be more appropriate.
• A GoFundMe has been established to support Friesenhahn’s medical expenses and recovery.

Marine Veteran’s Heroic Actions Lead to Life-Threatening Injuries

Jimmy Friesenhahn, who dedicated 14 years of his life to service in the Marine Corps including multiple overseas deployments, now faces the battle of his life after being shot while working security at El Patio Sports Bar in San Antonio. The incident occurred when Friesenhahn attempted to confiscate a handgun from Wilmer Vladmir Ortega Ruiz, an illegal immigrant. During the ensuing struggle, Friesenhahn was shot three times, with one bullet striking his neck and causing catastrophic injuries that have left him paralyzed and unable to communicate.

Family members believe Friesenhahn’s decisive action likely prevented a mass casualty event, as reports indicate Ortega Ruiz may have intended to cause significant harm inside the establishment. The veteran’s training and quick response potentially saved numerous lives, though at tremendous personal cost. Friesenhahn’s current condition requires intensive medical care with uncertain prospects for recovery.

Shooter’s History of Legal Evasion

Ortega Ruiz’s presence at the bar that night represents a failure of the immigration enforcement system. Records show he had been arrested on four previous occasions but was repeatedly allowed to walk free despite demonstrating a pattern of evading court proceedings. His criminal history includes a DWI charge that was downgraded to obstructing a passageway, and multiple failures to appear in court—none of which resulted in detention or deportation.

According to reports, Ortega Ruiz was illegally in possession of a firearm at the time of the shooting. The Bexar County District Attorney’s Office has charged him with aggravated assault and set bond at $200,000. Friesenhahn’s family has expressed outrage at what they view as inadequate charges, arguing that the offense constitutes attempted murder and represents a systemic failure in how the justice system handles repeat offenders with immigration violations.

Pattern of Border Security Concerns

This incident occurs against a backdrop of increasing concerns about violent crimes committed by individuals who have entered the country illegally. In another recent case, two Venezuelan nationals were arrested in connection with the death of 18-year-old Ava Moore, an Air Force cadet candidate who was killed in a jet ski accident on Lake Grapevine over Memorial Day weekend. Both suspects had entered the U.S. illegally in 2023 and were released into the interior pending immigration proceedings.

The Department of Homeland Security has acknowledged that such incidents represent “preventable tragedies” resulting from immigration policies. In Moore’s case, authorities discovered the suspects with packed suitcases at the time of their arrest, suggesting they were preparing to flee. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has filed detainers for both Friesenhahn’s alleged shooter and the suspects in Moore’s death, ensuring they will face removal proceedings after any criminal cases are resolved.

Community Support for Wounded Veteran

As Friesenhahn battles life-threatening injuries and faces an uncertain future, his family has established a GoFundMe campaign to help cover mounting medical expenses and rehabilitation costs. The Marine veteran’s community has rallied around him, recognizing his sacrifice both in military service abroad and in his final moments of duty protecting civilians at home. His family remains by his side as he fights to recover from injuries that have fundamentally altered his life.

The contrast between Friesenhahn’s lifetime of service and the circumstances of his shooting has intensified calls for immigration enforcement reform and stricter consequences for those who repeatedly violate immigration laws. Meanwhile, the district attorney’s office has not provided comments on the situation or responded to the family’s criticism regarding the charges filed against Ortega Ruiz.