Red Sox Legend David Ortiz Back In Boston After Being Shot In The Dominican Republic
Former Red Sox slugger David Ortiz was flown back to Boston for additional medical treatment after being shot in the back while in the Dominican Republic.
On June 10, the 43-year-old retired athlete was transported from Santo Domingo to Mass General Hospital in Boston.
Ortiz is in stable condition after doctors in the Dominican Republic removed his gallbladder and part of his intestine as a result of the gunshot wound, reported CBS Boston.
Ortiz’s liver was also damaged during the June 9 shooting.
Officials with the Boston Red Sox arranged for the air ambulance to fly Ortiz to Boston, where he received a police escort to Mass General.
Once he safely arrived at the Boston hospital, Ortiz’s wife, Tiffany Ortiz, released a statement on his condition.
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“He is stable, awake, and resting comfortably in the ICU, where he is expected to remain for the next several days,” the statement reads.
Ortiz was at the Dial Bar and Lounge in Santo Domingo Sunday evening when a gunman approached from behind and shot him at nearly point blank range, National Police Director Ney Aldrin Bautista Almonte told reporters.
The bullet went through Ortiz’s lower back and came out of his stomach.
Dionisio Soldevila, a reporter from the Dominican Republic, told ESPN that while Ortiz was in the hospital, he pleaded with his doctors, “Please don’t let me die. I’m a good man.”
After the shooting, a group of witnesses chased down and beat one of the suspects, 25-year-old Eddy Feliz Garcia.
Garcia, who was reported to be the driver in the attack, received treatment for his injuries before he was arrested by the police.
Dominican Republic officials believe the gunman is still on the loose.
Investigators are also still trying to determine whether Ortiz was the intended target.
Red Sox President Sam Kennedy said Ortiz is probably the most beloved and important player in the team’s history.
“The face of multiple World Series championships, active in the community. You’d be hard pressed to find someone more beloved than David,” Kennedy in a statement. “We all remember in 2013 when we needed David Ortiz the most, he was there for us in late April. So it’s appropriate and expected that this community would rally around David when he needs us the most.”
Many people have wished Ortiz a healthy and swift recovery, including former President Barack Obama.
