Police Say Suspects Were Offered Money to Shoot Former Red Sox Star David Ortiz

A total of six people have been detained in the shooting of former Boston Red Sox player David Ortiz and the gunman has been arrested.

The suspected gunman in David Ortiz’s shooting at a Dominican Republic bar was arrested Wednesday as part of a group that authorities said was offered almost $8,000 for a coordinated hit on the former Red Sox star.

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As previously reported, 43-year old Ortiz and a friend were shot at Dial Bar and Lounge in the Dominican capital.
He was shot in the back and suffered severe internal damage. The bullet exited through Ortiz’s stomach and hit television host Jhoel López, who was at the bar with Ortiz.
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Ortiz, a Dominican Republic native, had his gallbladder and part of his intestine removed by surgeons hours after the shooting.

He was flown back to Boston on Monday and is being treated at Massachusetts General Hospital.

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Féliz García of Santo Domingo West and a second man tried to drive away after the shooting, but the motorcycle fell to the pavement, police said.
A crowd attacked Féliz García and handed him over to police, who transported him to a hospital for treatment. At his Tuesday hearing, he had swelling and deep cuts on his face.

 

NBC News reports:

Ramon Martinez Perez, who goes by the alias Rolfie, was detained and is currently being questioned, Dominican authorities said. Eddy Vladimir Feliz Garcia, who was arrested at the scene of the Sunday night shooting at the Dial Bar and Lounge in the eastern part of Santa Domingo, was charged Tuesday as an accomplice to attempted murder.

David Ortiz shooter-Rolfi Ferreira Cruz

The director of the National Police, General Ney Aldrin Bautista Almonte shows the weapon that was used to shoot former Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz, during a press conference at the Attorney General's Office in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Wednesday, June 12, 2019. Six suspects, including the alleged gunman, have been detained in the shooting, the Dominican Republic's chief prosecutor said Wednesday. (AP Photo / Roberto Guzman)
The director of the National Police, General Ney Aldrin Bautista Almonte shows the weapon that was used to shoot former Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz, during a press conference at the Attorney General’s Office in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Wednesday, June 12, 2019. (AP Photo / Roberto Guzman)

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Four other men — Joel Rodriguez Cruz, Oliver Moises Mirabal Acosta, Reynaldo Rodriguez Valenzuela and Polfirio Allende Deschamps Vazquez — were also arrested; a seventh suspect remains at large.

Authorities asked that Luis Alfredo Riva Clases, known as “The Surgeon,” turn himself in.

Prosecutors said in court documents that two men were seen on security camera footage talking with other people in two Hyundai sedans on a nearby street before two men got on a motorcycle to ride toward the bar.

Authorities said Wednesday that they have eyewitness testimony, physical evidence and video surveillance to corroborate their claims.

The case is still ongoing.

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