SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — Former Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz was ambushed by a man who got off a motorcycle and shot him in the back at nearly point-blank range Sunday night in his native Dominican Republic, authorities said.
Dominican National Police Director Ney Aldrin Bautista Almonte said Ortiz was at the Dial Bar and Lounge in Santo Domingo around 8:50 p.m. when the gunman approached from behind and shot him. Ortiz was taken to a medical facility where he underwent surgery, and his condition was stable, Bautista said.
The gunman was captured and beaten by a crowd of people at the bar, Bautista said. He said police are waiting until the man undergoes treatment for his injuries before questioning him.
Investigators are trying to determine whether Ortiz was the intended target, Bautista said.
Two other people were wounded, Bautista said, including Jhoel López, a Dominican TV host who was with Ortiz. Bautista said police believe López was wounded by the same bullet.
FBI and Texas authorities arrest 276 suspected child predators, rescue 89 children in sweeping operation
Federal Judge Blocks Trump’s $1.8 Billion ‘Anti-Weaponization Fund,’ Setting Up Critical Hearing
‘There Are No Words’: 6th Grader Dies on School Trip
Federal judge orders Trump’s name removed from Kennedy Center, says only Congress can rename it
Spanberger ripped over ignored ICE detainer after illegal alien with 18 prior charges accused of sex assault
House Republican Don Bacon says he wants ‘pariah state’ Russia booted from UN Security Council
Louisiana passes new congressional map
Pope Leo meets with Chicago’s far-left mayor, George Floyd’s family lawyer at the Vatican
Democrats eye Blanche and Patel subpoenas after Bondi deflects Epstein questions
Anti-ICE agitator screams ‘I’ll kill your whole f- family’ day after Dem gov praises ‘peaceful protesting’
‘Divisive’: Martina McBride Pulls Out of America 250 Birthday Concert Over Politics
Not Satire: Newsom Took Money That Could Have Helped Stop Palisades Fires and Spent It Teaching American Indians to Start Fires
Former Russian president warns Europe’s ‘peaceful sleep is over’ after Romania drone hit
Kevin Kiley’s two-front fight: Battling California redistricting while defending his own seat
Dead voter allegation fuels concerns about voting safeguards as blue state official turns herself in
López was shot in the leg and his injuries were not life-threatening, said his wife, Liza Blanco, who is also a TV host.
Police did not identify the third person or detail that person’s injuries.
The Dial Bar and Lounge is located in eastern Santo Domingo on Venezuela Avenue, a bustling nightlife district packed with dance clubs and pricey bars that Ortiz is known to frequent. Ortiz, who lives at least part of the year in the Dominican, is often seen getting his cars washed and hanging out with friends including other baseball players, artists and entertainers.
Ortiz’s father, Leo, said authorities informed him about the shooting but didn’t provide details.
“They called to tell me that David is injured and that they took him to a medical center, but they did not tell me how he is or exactly where he was transferred,” Leo Ortiz told ESPN.com.
The 43-year-old Ortiz hit 541 homers in 20 major league seasons, including 14 with the Red Sox. He helped lead Boston to three World Series titles and retired after the 2016 season. He was a 10-time All-Star and two-time World Series MVP, in 2004 and 2013.
Story cited here.
