Family of Paralyzed Marine Veteran Discusses Health Issues Affecting Upcoming Testimony

<p>A Marine veteran who was left paralyzed after being shot while working as a security guard was scheduled to testify against his alleged attacker in court next week, but a sudden downturn in his health has resulted in his hospitalization, according to his family.</p><p>Jimmy Friesenhahn, a combat veteran with multiple overseas deployments, has been hospitalized for at least a week due to complications from a blood clot following surgery in August, as reported by his sister, Becky Borjon.</p><p>"We encountered some medical setbacks, and he's been hospitalized for a week now," Borjon stated. "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."</p><p>Friesenhahn was expected to testify in a Bexar County courtroom during the trial of Wilmer Vladimir Ruiz Ortega, 29, a Honduran national accused of shooting him.</p><p>"Trial is scheduled to begin next week on the 20th," Borjon said. "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."</p><p>Ortega was arrested after allegedly shooting Friesenhahn at El Patio Sports Bar in San Antonio on May 4, 2025. Police reported that Friesenhahn spotted a gun in Ortega’s pocket and attempted to prevent him from entering the venue, leading to a struggle during which Ortega allegedly fired multiple rounds.</p><p>Friesenhahn was struck twice in his bulletproof vest and once in the neck, resulting in paralysis and the need for full-time medical care.</p><p>Ortega faces charges of aggravated assault against a security officer and illegal entry into the United States, and he is also involved in federal immigration proceedings.</p><p>The shooting has raised concerns from Friesenhahn’s family, who highlighted Ortega’s prior criminal record in Texas. Court records indicate that Ortega was previously arrested for driving while intoxicated in October 2020 and for a probation violation in August 2023.</p><p>He has faced additional arrests for failing to appear in court, including one in November 2024.</p><p>"His last court appearance was in March 2025, and Jimmy was shot on May 4, 2025," said Emmanuel Martinez, Friesenhahn’s brother-in-law. "At that point, the DA’s office should have complied with removal orders and turned him over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement."</p><p>Borjon expressed similar concerns, questioning why Ortega remained free despite multiple offenses.</p><p>"I’m not opposed to immigration, but there is a process set in place for a reason," Borjon said. "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."</p><p>Friesenhahn’s family is committed to ensuring the case is prosecuted fully while coping with the impact of his injuries. Borjon remarked, "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. My brother will never walk again. He will never be able to get married or raise a family."</p><p>The Bexar County District Attorney's Office declined to comment on the status of the case.</p>