(LibertySociety.com) – Marine veteran Jimmy Friesenhahn lies paralyzed and unable to speak after being shot by an illegal immigrant with four prior arrests, sparking outrage over a justice system that repeatedly failed to deport a known criminal.
Key Takeaways
- Jimmy Friesenhahn, a 44-year-old Marine Corps veteran and father, was shot while working security after discovering a gun on an illegal immigrant
- The shooter, Wilmer Vladmir Ortega Ruiz, had been arrested four times since 2020 but remained in the country illegally despite ICE detainers
- Friesenhahn is now paralyzed with a severed spinal cord and unable to speak, leaving him unable to care for his 5-month-old daughter
- The Bexar County District Attorney is under fire for charging Ortega Ruiz with aggravated assault rather than attempted murder
- The case highlights the deadly consequences of lax immigration enforcement and catch-and-release policies
Marine Veteran Shot While Protecting Bar Patrons
Jimmy Friesenhahn, a 44-year-old Marine Corps veteran who served his country honorably for 14 years including deployment to Iraq, now lies in a San Antonio hospital bed paralyzed and unable to speak. While working security at El Patio Sports Bar on May 4, 2025, Friesenhahn discovered a concealed firearm during a routine pat-down of 29-year-old Wilmer Vladmir Ortega Ruiz. What followed was a struggle that would forever change the veteran’s life and ignite a firestorm of controversy over immigration enforcement and criminal justice policies in Texas.
During the confrontation, which occurred around 12:30 a.m., Ortega Ruiz allegedly gained control of the weapon and fired three shots at Friesenhahn. Two bullets struck the security guard’s bulletproof vest, but a third hit him in the neck, causing catastrophic damage. The shot severed Friesenhahn’s spinal cord, ruptured his esophagus, and severely damaged his vocal cords. Medical professionals have confirmed the Marine veteran is now paralyzed and unable to speak, with a long and uncertain road to recovery ahead.
Illegal Immigrant Had Four Prior Arrests
The shooter’s identity and background have become central to the case. 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 and his illegal status in the country, Ortega Ruiz remained free and able to commit this violent crime against a veteran who had dedicated his life to protecting others.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) placed a detainer on Ortega Ruiz following the shooting, but questions remain about why previous opportunities to remove him from the country were missed. Critics point to this case as a glaring example of the failures of current immigration policies and enforcement practices. The repeated releases of an individual with both illegal status and a growing criminal record have now resulted in life-altering consequences for an American veteran and his family.
Family Outraged at District Attorney’s Handling of Case
Friesenhahn’s family has expressed outrage at Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales for what they view as lenient treatment of the shooter. Instead of attempted murder charges, Ortega Ruiz faces only aggravated assault charges. Additionally, his bond was set at $200,000, which the family considers insufficient given the severity of the crime and the suspect’s flight risk as an undocumented immigrant with a history of probation violations.
The family alleges that systemic failures in both immigration enforcement and the criminal justice system allowed Ortega Ruiz to remain free despite his status and prior arrests. They argue that proper enforcement of existing laws could have prevented this tragedy entirely. Witnesses at the scene have suggested that Friesenhahn’s actions may have prevented a potential mass shooting, as Ortega Ruiz appeared intent on entering the crowded bar while armed.
Veteran Faces Uncertain Future as Primary Caregiver
Before the shooting, Friesenhahn served as the primary caregiver for his five-month-old daughter. His injuries have not only devastated him physically but have also upended his family’s life. The financial burden of ongoing medical care and rehabilitation, combined with the loss of income, presents a significant challenge for the family. In response, supporters have established a GoFundMe campaign that has raised over $300,000 to help with expenses.
The irony that a man who survived combat in Iraq only to be critically injured by an illegal immigrant who should have been deported has not been lost on supporters. Many point out that while Friesenhahn dedicated his life to protecting Americans both abroad and at home, the government failed to protect him from an individual who had no legal right to be in the country and had demonstrated a pattern of lawless behavior.
Case Highlights Broader Immigration Enforcement Failures
This shooting has reignited intense debate about border security and immigration enforcement policies across Texas and the nation. Critics argue that catch-and-release practices and sanctuary policies create dangerous environments where repeat offenders can remain in communities despite posing clear threats to public safety. They point to Friesenhahn’s case as evidence that current policies prioritize the interests of illegal immigrants over the safety of American citizens and legal residents.
Law enforcement officials familiar with the case have expressed frustration at the limitations placed on their ability to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. The practice of reducing charges and allowing probation for undocumented immigrants with criminal histories has come under particular scrutiny in the wake of this shooting. Many are calling for reforms that would ensure individuals like Ortega Ruiz are either deported after their first encounter with law enforcement or held in custody until their cases are resolved.
As Jimmy Friesenhahn begins what will likely be years of rehabilitation, his case stands as a stark reminder of the human cost of failed immigration policies. A Marine who survived war now fights for recovery from injuries that never should have happened, while his infant daughter faces growing up with a father permanently disabled by a preventable act of violence. For many Americans, this case represents not just a personal tragedy but a systemic failure that demands immediate correction.
Copyright 2025, LibertySociety.com
