Suspected Mastermind Behind Shooting of MLB Legend David Ortiz Arrested

By Ross Kelly June 29, 2019 at 1:52pm

It’s been 20 days since Red Sox legend David Ortiz was shot in the Dominican Republic, and there appears to have been a major development in the capture of his alleged assailant.

“Authorities in the Dominican Republic announced Friday that they have arrested the man behind the shooting of baseball great David Ortiz in an apparent case of mistaken identity,” The Associated Press reported.

Victor Hugo Gomez was detained in the Caribbean, and his mugshot made its way to social media shortly thereafter.

Texas Man Victor Hugo Gomez Arrested By Dominican Police In David Ortiz Shooting https://t.co/oIMnylTkDl pic.twitter.com/tIpiP046Zg

— CBSDFW (@CBSDFW) June 28, 2019

Last week, authorities said they thought Gomez was living in the United States as a dangerous fugitive, according to the AP.

He was also described as an alleged associate of Mexico’s powerful Gulf Cartel.

The intended target of the shooting was reportedly one of Ortiz’s cousins, Sixto David Fernandez.

“Authorities say hit men confused Ortiz with Fernández during the June 9 shooting at a bar in the capital of Santo Domingo. The two men are friends and were sharing a table,” the AP reported.

In a YouTube video uploaded Friday, Gomez denied that he would ever intend to kill Ortiz or his cousin.

“I would never do something like this,” Gomez said, claiming he did not attempt to kill Fernandez, “and least of all David, ‘Big Papi.'”

Dominican police wrote on Twitter on Friday that the Dominican navy also apprehended Alberto Rodriguez Mota, who was trying to escape to Puerto Rico.

Mota allegedly financed the plot.

Nuestra #PolicíaRD informa el arresto de Alberto Rodríguez Mota, quien fue capturado por miembros de la @ArmadaRepDom en alta mar, específicamente en las costas de Samaná, tratando de ir hacia a Puerto Rico, donde pretendía evadir la justicia dominicana.

— Policía Nacional República Dominicana (@PoliciaRD) June 28, 2019

Shortly after he underwent an hours-long operation in the Dominican Republic following the shooting, the Red Sox flew Ortiz back to Boston for additional treatment.

On Saturday, meanwhile, Ortiz’s former team was in London to take part in MLB’s first ever game in Europe.

Before Saturday’s contest between the Yankees and Red Sox, the Fox Sports MLB crew sent out a message to Ortiz, who is also a Fox Sports analyst.

Our crew and @mookiebetts had a special message for our friend and colleague @davidortiz ? pic.twitter.com/H3fZflP1gR

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) June 29, 2019

“God bless, we miss you,” Frank Thomas said. “The stool is a little empty without you.”

“Mi amigo,” Alex Rodriguez said to Ortiz. “Hurry back, big fella. Not only Boston — baseball, everyone’s cheering for you and you can do this.”

Ortiz remains in a Boston hospital and is expected to recover. He was moved out of intensive care last weekend, his wife Tiffany said, according to NBC News.

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