(DailyChive.com) – Marine veteran Jimmy Friesenhahn lies paralyzed and unable to speak after being shot by an illegal immigrant with multiple prior arrests, igniting fierce debate over immigration enforcement failures and lenient prosecution in San Antonio.
Key Takeaways
- Marine veteran Jimmy Friesenhahn was shot in the neck while working security, leaving him paralyzed and unable to speak after confronting an armed illegal immigrant.
- The shooter, Wilmer Vladmir Ortega Ruiz, had been arrested four times since 2020 but remained in the country despite his illegal status and criminal history.
- Friesenhahn’s family is outraged that Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales only charged Ortega Ruiz with aggravated assault rather than attempted murder.
- The incident has become a flashpoint in the national debate over border security and sanctuary policies that critics say endanger American citizens.
Veteran Security Guard Shot While Protecting Bar Patrons
What began as a routine security check at El Patio Sports Bar in San Antonio ended in tragedy when Marine veteran Jimmy Friesenhahn discovered a concealed weapon during a pat-down of 29-year-old Wilmer Vladmir Ortega Ruiz. The confrontation quickly escalated into a physical struggle around 12:30 a.m. on May 4, 2025, resulting in Ortega Ruiz allegedly gaining control of the firearm and shooting Friesenhahn three times – twice in the chest where his bulletproof vest saved his life, and once in the neck, causing catastrophic injuries that have left the 44-year-old veteran paralyzed.
Friesenhahn, a 14-year Marine Corps veteran who served in Iraq, now lies in critical condition with a complete spinal injury, ruptured esophagus, and severe vocal cord damage. The decorated veteran, who recently became the primary caregiver for his five-month-old daughter, cannot speak or move as he faces a long and uncertain recovery. Friends and supporters have rallied around the family, raising over $300,000 through a GoFundMe campaign to help with mounting medical expenses and long-term care costs.
Illegal Immigrant with Extensive Criminal History
The shooter’s background has sparked intense outrage among conservatives and immigration enforcement advocates. Ortega Ruiz, identified as an undocumented immigrant, had been arrested four times in Bexar County since 2020, including for driving while intoxicated – a charge that was later reduced to “impeding a passageway.” Despite multiple probation violations and his illegal status in the country, Ortega Ruiz remained free on the streets of San Antonio, with authorities repeatedly failing to deport him or keep him incarcerated.
“This tragedy was entirely preventable,” said Tom Homan, former Acting Director of ICE. “When sanctuary policies prevent cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, American citizens pay the price with their safety and sometimes their lives.”
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has now placed a detainer on Ortega Ruiz following the shooting, but critics argue this action comes far too late. The case exemplifies what many conservatives view as a systematic failure of both border security and criminal justice policies that prioritize leniency toward illegal immigrants over public safety.
Family Outraged by Lenient Charges
Adding to the controversy, Friesenhahn’s family has publicly criticized Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales for what they consider outrageously lenient charges against Ortega Ruiz. Despite the severity of Friesenhahn’s injuries and the circumstances of the shooting, prosecutors charged Ortega Ruiz with aggravated assault rather than attempted murder and set his bond at just $200,000 – a decision that has infuriated the victim’s family and supporters.
Family members believe Friesenhahn’s actions prevented what could have been a mass shooting at the crowded bar. Witnesses reported that Ortega Ruiz appeared intent on entering the establishment armed, but was stopped by Friesenhahn’s vigilance during the security check. Instead of being hailed as a hero who potentially saved numerous lives, the family feels the Marine veteran has been failed by the very system he once fought to protect.
Case Highlights Border Security Failures
The shooting has reignited fierce debate about America’s border crisis and the real-world consequences of failed immigration policies. Conservative lawmakers point to Friesenhahn’s case as a tragic example of how sanctuary policies and lax enforcement directly endanger American citizens. With over 10 million illegal crossings since the Biden administration took office, critics argue that cases like this will only become more common without immediate policy changes.
“When we fail to secure our borders and enforce our immigration laws, it’s not abstract policy – it’s American citizens like Jimmy Friesenhahn who pay the price,” said Texas Governor Greg Abbott. “This administration’s border policies have created a public safety crisis that is destroying lives across our state and nation.”
As Friesenhahn begins what doctors predict will be a lengthy rehabilitation process, his case has become a rallying cry for immigration enforcement advocates and a stark reminder of the human cost of failed border policies. Meanwhile, his family faces an uncertain future, caring for both a severely injured veteran and his infant daughter while navigating a criminal justice system they feel has already failed them.
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