In a shocking incident in San Antonio, a former Marine turned security guard is battling for his life after being shot by an illegal immigrant.
The ex-Marine, Jimmy Friesenhahn, was on duty at the El Patio Sports Bar when he was shot by Wilmer Vladmir Ortega Ruiz, a 29-year-old man who had entered the U.S. illegally.
Friesenhahn, a 44-year-old combat veteran, was performing his routine duty of checking patrons for weapons when he encountered Ortega Ruiz. Upon discovering a handgun in the man's pocket, a struggle ensued. Ortega Ruiz allegedly shot Friesenhahn multiple times during the altercation, hitting him twice in his ballistic vest and once in the neck. The neck wound resulted in a spinal cord injury, leaving the 14-year Marine Corps veteran paralyzed and unable to speak. Since the shooting, Friesenhahn has undergone six surgeries.
The family of Friesenhahn, who is a father to a five-month-old girl and served a combat tour in Iraq during his 14 years in the Marine Corps, has expressed their disappointment with the Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales's Office. They accuse the office of "soft-peddling the charges" after Ortega Ruiz was reportedly released on four previous arrests, as reported by the New York Post.
Ortega Ruiz's criminal history is extensive and includes multiple instances of failing to appear in court. As a result, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers have placed an immigration hold on him. His first arrest occurred in October 2020 for a DWI charge in San Antonio, which was later downgraded to obstructing a passageway. Despite pleading guilty, Ortega Ruiz violated his probation terms and was arrested again in August 2023. He was released after posting a $1,500 bond but failed to appear for a subsequent court hearing. This pattern of arrest, release, and failure to appear in court continued until his fourth arrest in November 2024.
In addition to his run-ins with the law, Ortega Ruiz was also reportedly involved in an assault investigation where his girlfriend accused him of physical abuse. However, he had fled the scene before the police arrived, according to law enforcement sources.
Emmanuel Martinez, Friesenhahn's brother-in-law, told The Post, "Jimmy's sacrifice saved people because there's stories that the guy was going to go inside and do something in that place." To assist with Friesenhahn's mounting medical expenses and recovery, his family has set up a GoFundMe page.
As an illegal immigrant, Ortega Ruiz was legally prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm. Texas law also forbids carrying a gun into a bar. This incident underscores the importance of stringent immigration laws and the enforcement of existing regulations to ensure public safety. The case of Ortega Ruiz serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers posed by illegal immigration and the need for effective law enforcement.
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