In San Antonio, police arrested an undocumented immigrant after he allegedly shot a former Marine who was working as a security guard at a bar. The Marine was critically injured while attempting to disarm individuals believed to be in the country illegally.
More than a month later, 44-year-old Jimmy Friesenhaan, a Marine Corps combat veteran, is in grave condition at a hospital in San Antonio. He was shot while working at El Patio Sports Bar in the early hours of May 4th.
As the suspect entered the bar, Friesenhaan tried to search him for a weapon. A confrontation ensued when the Marine reportedly found a handgun in the suspect’s pocket.
During the altercation, the suspect, identified as Ortega Lewis, shot Friesenhaan multiple times—twice hitting his ballistic vest and once in the neck. This neck wound has left the veteran paralyzed due to a spinal cord injury, and he’s undergone multiple surgeries since the incident.
The family of Friesenhaan has expressed concern over how the case is being handled, suggesting that the Bexar County District Attorney’s office is not pursuing charges as vigorously as they should, especially since the suspect had been arrested multiple times prior but was released without significant consequences.
Friesenhaan, who served in the Marines for 14 years, had a young daughter who is just five months old.
Immigration officials are now pursuing Ortega Lewis due to his lengthy criminal history and history of missing court appearances. His legal troubles began with a DWI arrest in October 2020, after which he failed to appear in court.
According to records, Ortega Lewis pled guilty to the charges but was later arrested for violating probation terms. He was released again only to face further arrests, including assault allegations related to a domestic incident.
Friesenhaan’s brother-in-law remarked that the Marine’s bravery likely prevented further harm that night.
A GoFundMe page has been established by his family to help cover medical costs as he continues his recovery.
As an undocumented individual, Ortega Lewis was prohibited from possessing firearms, and Texas law generally forbids bringing guns into bars.
