(PatriotNews.net) – Marine veteran Jimmy Friesenhahn lies paralyzed and unable to speak after being shot by an illegal immigrant with multiple prior arrests, sparking outrage over failed immigration enforcement and lenient prosecution in San Antonio.
Key Takeaways
- Jimmy Friesenhahn, a 44-year-old Marine Corps veteran working as a security guard, was shot in the neck while preventing an armed illegal immigrant from entering a bar.
- The shooter, Wilmer Vladmir Ortega Ruiz, had been arrested four times since 2020 but remained in the country illegally despite an ICE detainer.
- Friesenhahn is now paralyzed with a severed spinal cord, ruptured esophagus, and damaged vocal cords while caring for his 5-month-old daughter.
- The Bexar County District Attorney has been criticized for charging Ortega Ruiz with aggravated assault rather than attempted murder and setting a $200,000 bond.
- The case has reignited debate about border security failures and lenient prosecution of criminal illegal immigrants.
Hero Marine Left Paralyzed After Confronting Armed Illegal Immigrant
A 44-year-old Marine Corps veteran who served his country for 14 years now lies in a hospital bed, paralyzed and unable to speak after being shot by an illegal immigrant who had been arrested multiple times but never deported. Jimmy Friesenhahn was working security at El Patio Sports Bar in San Antonio when he encountered 29-year-old Wilmer Vladmir Ortega Ruiz attempting to enter the establishment with a concealed firearm around 12:30 a.m. on May 4, 2025.
During a routine pat-down, Friesenhahn discovered the weapon in Ortega Ruiz’s pocket, leading to a physical struggle. The illegal immigrant allegedly gained control of the gun and fired three shots at the veteran security guard. Two bullets struck Friesenhahn’s bulletproof vest, but a third hit him in the neck, causing catastrophic injuries including a complete spinal cord injury, ruptured esophagus, and severe vocal cord damage.
Suspect’s Troubling History of Arrests and Immigration Violations
Ortega Ruiz, an undocumented immigrant, had been arrested four times in Bexar County since 2020. His criminal history includes a DWI charge that was later reduced to “impeding a passageway” and multiple probation violations. Despite these encounters with law enforcement, he remained in the country illegally. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has now placed a detainer on him following the shooting of Friesenhahn.
The case has sparked intense criticism of local and federal immigration enforcement policies. Critics argue that Ortega Ruiz should have been deported after his first encounter with law enforcement, preventing the tragedy that has now devastated Friesenhahn’s family. The repeated failures to enforce immigration laws have allowed a dangerous individual to remain on American streets despite multiple opportunities for removal.
Family Outraged by Lenient Charges and Bond
Friesenhahn’s family has expressed outrage at Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales for what they consider lenient treatment of the shooter. Instead of attempted murder charges, Ortega Ruiz faces only aggravated assault charges and was granted a $200,000 bond. The family believes this decision reflects a disturbing pattern of prioritizing criminals over victims and law-abiding citizens.
“The DA’s office is more concerned with protecting criminals than protecting the public,” said a family spokesperson, highlighting their frustration with a justice system they feel has repeatedly failed them. “Jimmy prevented what could have been a mass shooting, and this is how the system repays his heroism.”
Devastating Impact on a Hero’s Life
Before the shooting, Friesenhahn was not only a dedicated security professional but also the primary caregiver for his five-month-old daughter. The Iraq War veteran now faces a future of extensive medical care and rehabilitation with uncertain prospects for recovery. His injuries have left him paralyzed and unable to communicate verbally, a devastating outcome for a man who dedicated his life to service and protection.
“Jimmy risked his life to protect others,” said a fellow veteran who served with Friesenhahn. “He was doing his job, keeping people safe, and now his life has been shattered because our immigration system is broken and our prosecutors refuse to take dangerous criminals off the streets.”
Community Rallies While Politicians Debate
As Friesenhahn fights for his life in the hospital, the San Antonio community has rallied around him and his family. A GoFundMe campaign has raised over $300,000 to help cover his mounting medical expenses and provide for his infant daughter. The outpouring of support demonstrates the community’s recognition of his sacrifice while highlighting the growing frustration with policies that seem to prioritize illegal immigrants over American citizens.
Witness accounts suggest Ortega Ruiz intended to enter the crowded bar armed, potentially averting a mass casualty incident thanks to Friesenhahn’s intervention. This aspect of the case has further inflamed public sentiment, with many questioning why an individual with multiple arrests was still free to carry a weapon and ultimately shoot a veteran who was simply doing his job to protect the public.
A Pattern of Failed Enforcement
The Friesenhahn shooting is not an isolated incident but part of a troubling pattern across the country where illegal immigrants with criminal records remain in communities despite deportation orders or detainers. Critics point to sanctuary city policies and reluctance to cooperate with federal immigration authorities as contributing factors to these preventable tragedies.
As Jimmy Friesenhahn begins what will likely be a long and difficult recovery, his case stands as a stark reminder of the real-world consequences of failed immigration policies and lenient prosecution. A Marine who survived combat in Iraq now fights the battle of his life on American soil, shot by someone who should never have been in the country in the first place – a tragic outcome that many believe could have been prevented with proper enforcement of existing laws.
Copyright 2025, PatriotNews.net
