David Ortiz
Shooter Arrested In D.R.
… Officials Say
6/12/2019 1:33 PM PDT
Breaking News
The man who allegedly shot David Ortiz has been arrested … officials announced Wednesday — saying they also caught additional suspects who they believe were also involved in the shooting.
As we previously reported, Ortiz was shot in the back on Sunday night as he was sitting in an outside patio area of a popular Dominican Republic nightclub.
D.R. cops say two young men drove up to the scene on a motorcycle … when one of them got off to fire a single bullet into the Red Sox legend’s lower back.
Cops say the guys tried to flee the scene on the bike afterward … but when it fell to the pavement — they tried to make a run for it on foot.
One of the guys — the alleged shooter — was able to escape … but the other suspect, Eddy Vladimir Feliz Garcia, was beaten to a pulp on the scene by bystanders before he was handed over to cops.
Now, D.R. officials are saying they’ve caught the suspected shooter and arrested him … and have also detained 3 additional people they say contributed to the attack.
Officials believe the attack was orchestrated … and involved 2 vehicles, one motorcycle and several individuals.
They say they now have 5 total people in custody … with only one suspect still at large.
Cops say they believe the attackers were paid 400,000 pesos — the equivalent of $8,000 — for the shooting. Officials have yet to determine a motive.
During the press conference, officials presented the actual gun they believe was used to shoot Ortiz.
Investigators say this the gun used in the shooting of David Ortiz. It was displayed in a news conference on Wednesday. @NBC10 pic.twitter.com/e5P0BEbgRQ
— Frank Maradiaga (@writerfrank) June 12, 2019
Big Papi underwent surgery late Sunday night to repair the damage the bullet caused … with surgeons saying they needed to remove his gallbladder and parts of his intestines.
David underwent a second procedure on Monday night after he returned back to Boston.
In a statement released Wednesday by Ortiz’s wife, Tiffany Ortiz, she said, “His condition is guarded and he will remain in the ICU for the coming days, but he is making good progress towards recovery.”