Despite surviving four deployments in Iraq, Marine Corps veteran Jimmy Friesenhahn is facing his biggest test as a civilian.
Working as a security guard at the entrance to El Patio Sports Bar in San Antonio, Texas, on May 4, 2025, Friesenhahn was shot four times by Wilmer Vladimir Ruiz-Ortega, a crazed gunman whom Friesenhahn had denied entry to the bar because he was armed.
The Marine Corps veteran nearly died and was left paralyzed. He’s spent the past nine months recuperating from his injuries, but knows a long, arduous road to recovery lies ahead.
May 4, the night that would alter his life, started out like a typical Sunday night. Friesenhahn was working the door at the bar when Ruiz-Ortega tried to enter. Friesenhahn patted him down, noticing he possessed a handgun.
“I found a gun on him and told him he couldn’t come in the bar with it,” Friesenhahn told KSAT in San Antonio.
After repeatedly telling Ruiz-Ortega that he could not enter the bar with a firearm, the man attempted to push past Friesenhahn. Friesenhahn initially drew his gun, but holstered it, thinking a shootout would put patrons and bar employees at risk.
A fight ensued as Friesenhahn grappled with Ruiz-Ortega to grab the gun from him.
“Once I went to the ground, he shot me in the throat and then three more shots,” Friesenhahn said. “And then I blacked out.”
A bullet-proof vest prevented shots to his chest from wounding the veteran; however, the shot Friesenhahn received to his throat led to paralysis. Initially, doctors didn’t believe he would survive the attack.
While he pulled through, the veteran faced several medical setbacks. Friesenhahn’s sister, Becky Borjan, cares for him around the clock.
“It’s scary some days,” Borjan said.
Managing appointments and Friesenhahn’s constant healthcare needs have put financial strain on the family. A GoFundMe campaign was set up to assist Friesenhahn with the goal of generating $750,000. As of Jan. 28, more than $71,000 has been raised through nearly 1,000 donations.
Searching for Answers
Family members said they are also struggling to get answers from local law enforcement on updates to Friesenhahn’s case.
“We don’t have an answer. We don’t have a court date,” Borjan said. “We don’t know anything. We don’t have an update. We haven’t heard anything from anyone.”
The Bexar County District Attorney’s Office, however, disputes this claim, saying they’re meeting regularly with Friesenhahn’s family.
“Once I went to the ground, he shot me in the throat and then three more shots,” Friesenhahn said. “And then I blacked out.”
“The Bexar County District Attorney’s Office has had numerous conversations, including a home visit, with the family of Jimmy Friesenhahn throughout multiple stages of this case,” the DA’s office said in a statement. “Our office has provided information regarding how the criminal justice system functions, what to expect at each phase of the process, and timely notification of all judicial proceedings.
As with anyone whose loved ones are victims of a crime, Mr. Friesenhahn’s family had questions regarding next steps and possible outcomes.”
Local reporting uncovered that Ruiz-Ortega was an undocumented immigrant with a criminal record in Bexar County, Texas, that included a deferred adjudication that was later thrown out. A deferred adjudication is a process in which a defendant pleads guilty or non-contest to charges but does not receive an immediate conviction.
Ruiz-Ortega’s charges in the shooting of Friesenhahn have slowed in recent months, and the case was moved to another courtroom. No trial date has been set.
“(The family) was informed that Ruiz Ortega’s charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon causing serious bodily injury carries a punishment range of 5 to 99 years in prison,” the DA’s statement reads. “While it was explained that a jury could consider probation, the State made clear it would not seek probation in this case.”
Borjan told KSAT she talked to a prosecutor and a victim’s advocate sometime last year and was informed that prosecutors were working on a plea deal with the defendant. But that’s not what Friesenhahn wants. He wants a trial and the chance to face his shooter in court. He believes it’s the best way for him to get justice.
“Him (Ruiz-Ortega) doing life behind bars because he sentenced me to this chair for life,” Friesenhahn said.
However, the Bexar County DA’s Office told KSAT it’s unlikely it will pursue a plea deal unless Friesenhahn and his family change their minds.
“On several occasions, our office was asked whether a plea agreement would be pursued. We explicitly communicated that no plea offer would be extended without first consulting with the family. Since that time, the case has been transferred to the 175th District Court, and no plea offer was made prior to or after that transfer.
Our prosecution team is diligently preparing this case for trial and is committed to holding the defendant accountable under the law and pursuing justice on behalf of Jimmy and his loved ones.”
“Him (Ruiz-Ortega) doing life behind bars because he sentenced me to this chair for life,” Friesenhahn said.
Slow Steps to Recovery
Friesenhahn’s main goal is to be able to use his hands again and slowly regain additional movement, if possible.
Despite the tragedy, Borjan is thankful for the outpouring of support for her brother, including from Congressman Chip Roy, who represents Texas’ 21st District.
“Chip Roy’s team has been amazing,” Borjan said. “If we need something and we’re not getting a response from anyone, we contact his office, and they immediately will respond to me or my husband and help kind of navigate through the situations.”
