U.S. Marine veteran Jimmy Friesenhahn lies paralyzed and unable to speak after being shot by an illegal alien who had been allowed to walk free despite four prior arrests – all because he tried to protect patrons at the San Antonio bar where he worked security.
At a Glance
- Marine Corps veteran Jimmy Friesenhahn was shot three times while trying to disarm an illegal migrant with a gun at El Patio Sports Bar in San Antonio
- The alleged shooter, Wilmer Vladmir Ortega Ruiz, has a history of arrests but was repeatedly allowed to walk free despite multiple failures to appear in court
- Friesenhahn, who served 14 years in the Marines with multiple overseas deployments, is now paralyzed and unable to speak
- The Bexar County DA has only charged Ortega Ruiz with aggravated assault, which the victim’s family calls a “huge slap in the face”
American Hero Becomes Latest Victim of Border Crisis
After faithfully serving his country for 14 years in the Marine Corps with multiple overseas deployments, Jimmy Friesenhahn found himself in another life-or-death situation – not in a foreign war zone, but at a bar in Texas where he worked security. When Friesenhahn spotted illegal migrant Wilmer Vladmir Ortega Ruiz carrying a handgun inside El Patio Sports Bar, he did what heroes do – he intervened to protect everyone else in the establishment. During the ensuing struggle to confiscate the weapon, Ortega Ruiz allegedly shot Friesenhahn three times, leaving him with critical injuries that have paralyzed him and robbed him of his ability to speak.
The story of Friesenhahn joins a growing list of American citizens who have suffered at the hands of illegal immigrants who should never have been free to commit violent crimes. Friesenhahn’s family believes his quick action likely prevented a mass casualty event, as Ortega Ruiz reportedly intended to cause harm inside the bar. Instead of mass casualties, we have one grievously wounded American hero – a price that never should have been paid in a nation that claims to care about the rule of law.
Another Criminal Illegal Alien, Another System Failure
The shocking but all-too-familiar pattern repeats itself once again: Ortega Ruiz had been arrested multiple times before shooting Friesenhahn. Despite having a DWI charge that was mysteriously downgraded to “obstructing a passageway” and repeatedly failing to appear in court, this illegal alien was allowed to roam free on American streets. His violent crime spree continued unchecked until he encountered a Marine veteran who was willing to put his life on the line to stop him. The justice system had multiple opportunities to detain and deport Ortega Ruiz, but at every turn, chose to let him walk.
To add insult to catastrophic injury, the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office has charged Ortega Ruiz merely with aggravated assault, setting his bond at $200,000. Friesenhahn’s family is rightfully outraged, arguing that the charges should be for attempted murder. They’ve described the lenient charge as a “huge slap in the face” – which seems like an understatement when you consider that a man who served his country honorably now faces life as a quadriplegic because an illegal alien who should have been behind bars or deported was instead free to shoot him.
Pattern of Preventable Tragedies Continues
Friesenhahn’s case isn’t an isolated incident. Just days ago, we learned about Ava Moore, an 18-year-old Air Force cadet candidate killed in a jet ski accident on Lake Grapevine over Memorial Day weekend. The suspects? Two illegal aliens from Venezuela who entered the U.S. illegally in 2023 and were promptly released into the interior. When arrested, they were found with suitcases packed, ready to flee justice. The Department of Homeland Security itself acknowledged the preventable nature of this tragedy.
“Ava Moore was a patriot serving her country when she was killed by an illegal alien in a hit-and-run over Memorial Day weekend. This senseless tragedy was 100 percent preventable.” – DHS
Two young Americans with bright futures of service to their country – one murdered, one severely injured – all because our government refuses to enforce our immigration laws and protect American citizens first. From the administration that opened the floodgates at our southern border to the local prosecutors who decline to pursue serious charges against violent criminals, the entire system seems designed to protect everyone except law-abiding American citizens. How many more Jimmy Friesenhahns and Ava Moores will it take before our leaders remember their primary duty is to protect Americans?
