Jimmy Friesenhahn, a Marine combat veteran left paralyzed after being shot while working security at a San Antonio bar, has been hospitalized for at least a week, jeopardizing his planned testimony in the trial of the man accused of shooting him.
Friesenhahn’s sister, Becky Borjon, told Fox News Digital the setback stems from a blood clot following an Aug. 28 surgery. “We encountered some medical setbacks, and he’s been hospitalized for a week now,” she said. “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.”
The trial of Wilmer Vladimir Ruiz Ortega, 29, a Honduran national charged in the shooting, is scheduled to begin next week in Bexar County. “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.”
What happened at El Patio Sports Bar
Ortega was arrested after allegedly opening fire on Friesenhahn at El Patio Sports Bar in San Antonio on May 4, 2025. Police said Friesenhahn noticed a gun in Ortega’s pocket and tried to stop him from entering the venue. A struggle followed, during which Ortega allegedly fired multiple rounds.
Friesenhahn, a combat veteran with multiple overseas deployments, was struck twice in his bulletproof vest and once in the neck. The neck wound left him paralyzed, unable to speak and dependent on full-time medical care.
Ortega faces charges of aggravated assault against a security officer and illegal entry into the United States, and is also subject to federal immigration proceedings.
A record of missed court dates
The shooting drew scrutiny of Ortega’s prior record in Texas. Court records show he was arrested for driving while intoxicated in October 2020, followed by an August 2023 arrest for a probation violation. He was arrested twice more for failing to appear in court, including in November 2024.
“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.”
“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.”
The Bexar County District Attorney’s Office declined to comment on the status of the case.
A lifelong fight
Friesenhahn’s family says they have accepted that his injuries are permanent. “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 said. “My brother will never walk again. He will never be able to get married or raise a family.”
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