A brave Marine Corps veteran faces life-altering injuries after being shot by an illegal alien who had been arrested and released four times.
Now paralyzed with severe damage to his spinal cord, esophagus, and vocal cords, Jimmy Friesenhahn was simply doing his job as a security guard when he encountered the armed repeat offender.
The shooter, who repeatedly evaded the justice system, represents yet another tragic consequence of America’s illegal immigration crisis.
Friesenhahn was working security outside El Patio Sports Bar in San Antonio when he confronted 29-year-old Wilmer Vladimir Ortega Ruiz, who was carrying a firearm.
When Ortega Ruiz refused to relinquish the weapon, a physical altercation broke out, ending with the Marine veteran being shot multiple times.
While his bulletproof vest stopped two chest shots, a bullet to the neck left him with catastrophic injuries.
Friesenhahn now battles complete spinal injury, a ruptured esophagus, and severe vocal cord damage.
While the decorated veteran and father is fighting for his life, Ortega Ruiz faces aggravated assault charges with a $200,000 bond and an ICE detainer.
This tragedy could have been prevented. Ortega Ruiz, an illegal alien who entered the country as a “gotaway,” was first arrested in October 2020 for driving while intoxicated, but authorities released him on a personal recognizance bond.
This pattern repeated three more times as he violated probation terms and failed to appear in court after subsequent arrests. Each time, the system allowed him back onto the streets.
The case has added to the fierce debate over immigration policies, with criticism aimed at Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales for his handling of Ortega Ruiz’s previous cases.
Friesenhahn’s family has accused the district attorney of political motivations, suggesting that a soft-on-crime approach toward illegal aliens contributed to this preventable tragedy.
San Antonio residents are left wondering how many more Americans must suffer before immigration laws are properly enforced.
Despite being under investigation for a previous assault, Ortega Ruiz was repeatedly released, highlighting the dangerous gaps in a system that prioritizes protecting illegal aliens over American citizens.
Law enforcement officials have confirmed that ICE placed a detainer on Ortega Ruiz following his arrest for shooting Friesenhahn.
The suspect remains in custody while the investigation continues, but for the Marine veteran and his family, the damage is already done.
This incident represents just one of countless tragedies stemming from failed border policies that allowed millions of unvetted illegal aliens to enter the country.
As Friesenhahn begins his long recovery journey, supporters are calling for justice and accountability.
