SAN ANTONIO – A man was found guilty Friday of shooting a San Antonio veteran at a West Side bar in 2025, leaving him paralyzed.
Wilmer Vladimir Ruiz Ortega, 30, was convicted of multiple aggravated assault charges in the case, including aggravated assault with a weapon causing paralysis; aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury; and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
His trial was held in the 175th District Court. The victim, Jimmy Friesenhahn, testified on Tuesday — more than a year after he was shot and left paralyzed.
Friesenhan said Ruiz Ortega shot him in May 2025 while he was working security at El Patio Bar off Frio City Road.
For the first time during the trial, the court and jurors also saw surveillance video of the shooting.
The video shows Ruiz Ortega approaching Friesenhahn before Friesenhahn begins a pat-down. A struggle follows, and gunshots are fired.
The defense has argued that Friesenhahn had no legal authority to search Ruiz Ortega and questioned whether he was actually working as a security guard.
Friesenhahn testified that he was licensed by the Texas Department of Public Safety to work as a security guard and that he was hired directly by the bar rather than through a security company.
Ruiz Ortega was initially charged with aggravated assault against a security officer, but the charge was dropped on Friday. He faces up to life in prison for his convicted charges and additional federal immigration proceedings, according to court records.
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