A Marine Corps veteran left paralyzed and unable to speak when an illegal migrant allegedly shot him got a boost of “motivation” while celebrating his first Father’s Day over the weekend, kin said.
Jimmy Friesenhahn, 44, of Texas appears in a touching photo on a GoFundMe page gazing at his 5-month-old daughter from his hospital bed as someone holds the baby up to him.
The new dad — who survived multiple overseas deployments during his 14 years in the service — was critically injured May 4 when criminal Wilmer Vladmir Ortega Ruiz allegedly shot him as Friesenhahn worked security at a San Antonio sport’s bar.
Friesenhahn had spotted the man apparently carrying a handgun in his pocket and tried to confiscate it, the victim’s brother-in-law, Emmanuel Martinez, told The Post.
The two men tussled over the firearm before Ortega Ruiz allegedly shot Friesenhahn three times — twice in his bulletproof vest and once through the neck.
Friesenhahn was left with a spinal injury along with a ruptured esophagus and vocal cords. He has undergone seven surgeries so far.
On June 9, Friesenhahn’s family said he was “suffering from ICU Delirium,” a condition referring to the disorientation and confusion that can hit some intensive-care patients. Kin said at the time that they were “praying … to get him transferred” to a specialized spinal hospital in Houston.
But by Saturday, Friesenhahn was improving and experiencing “more mental clarity” while gaining the ability “to tolerate sitting up for a few hours,” his family said.
“May God continue to protect him and keep him,” relatives wrote online. “Thank you to everyone for all your support and prayers. Tomorrow will be his 1st Father’s Day and we are hopeful that he will continue to tolerate sitting up to be able to see and hold his baby girl.”
By Sunday, “Jimmy was able to go outside and visit with his little baby girl,” his family said.
“Restores motivation and seeing his face light up was wonderful. Thank you to all for your continued prayers, support, and words of encouragement. Many Blessings,” his kin said.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement meanwhile placed a detainer on Ortega Ruiz immediately after his arrest May 4, the agency told The Post.
The illegal immigrant had snuck across the border at an unknown time before the shooting took place.
Ortega Ruiz was first busted in San Antonio for a DWI in October 2020, according to court records. He was let go on a personal recognizance bond but didn’t show up to a later court appearance.
The Bexar County District Attorney’s Office then downgraded the DWI charge against him to obstructing a passageway.
Ortega Ruiz pleaded guilty to the lesser charge but ended up still violating the terms of his probation and was collared a second time in August 2023.
After posting a $1,500 bond, he was let go again and failed to show up in court for a later hearing.
