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.
Former USCIS official, accomplice charged in alleged $960K citizenship bribery scheme
Dramatic video captures floodwaters bursting through glass doors of college students’ home
Trump appears to debut darker hair, sparking online buzz
Breaking: Deadly Amazon Cargo Plane Crash at Miami Airport Leaves 5 Dead
Amy Acton campaign says armed individual lunged at Ohio governor candidate, injuring multiple people
Hasan Piker brushes off Dems who see him as a liability, names his ’28 choice
Stray bullet from nearby lounge fight kills Frito-Lay worker inside Sam’s Club
After ‘Lake America,’ Trump suggests a new name for the state of New Mexico
Amazon cargo plane overruns Miami airport runway, striking ‘multiple’ vehicles and catching fire
Trump admin’s mail-in ballot fight lands back at Supreme Court
Hikers stranded on Mount Shasta after relying on AI to plan trip, sheriff says
Sanders pushes ‘death penalty’ for crucial US industry that could give advantage to foreign adversaries
Missouri foster mom accused of trading teen for monkey avoids prison
Mamdani under fire after symbolic 9/11 pen goes to former al Qaeda defense lawyer
Tragedy Shuts Down Christian Music Festival: Pastor Killed By High Winds and Collapsing Sign
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.
