(Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — On Friday, the man charged in the shooting of Red Sox slugger and baseball legend David Ortiz in the Dominican Republic claimed that Ortiz was not the intended target.
“it’s not David…I was confused,” Ferreyra Cruz said to reporters in a cell phone video obtained by CBS News. “They only told me the color of his clothes.
Authorities in the DR said on Thursday that more arrests have been made in the investigation into the shooting.
In addition, two of the suspects who are in custody are wanted on crimes in the United States.
Prosecutors Believe Suspects In Ortiz Shooting Wanted In U.S.
The national police director, Maj. Gen. Ney Aldrin Bautista Almonte, said the brainchild behind the hit on Ortiz was offered 400,000 Dominican pesos, or about $7,800 in U.S. dollars, to orchestrate the shooting. He said the alleged coordinator was also among those in custody.
Four additional suspects are also being sought out but Bautista Almonte and Chief Prosecutor Jean Alain Rodríguez offered no other details or motives as to why the group would try to kill one of their nation's most popular sports legend.
Meantime legendary Red Sox slugger David Ortiz is back in Boston where he remains in "guarded condition condition in the surgical intensive care unit following his second surgery," at Massachusetts General Hospital according to his wife Tiffany Ortiz.
The popular now retired Red Sox player, was shot in the back while at a bar in his native Dominican Republic Sunday.
Ortiz, 44, suffered internal injuries to his organs and was taken to the Boston hospital by air ambulance after doctors in Santo Domingo performed a six-hour surgery.
According to his wife Tiffany, Ortiz underwent a successful second surgery at MGH.
He's expected to remain in the hospital for the next several days.
Here’s the latest on Ortiz's condition and information on the shooting:
When And Where Did The Shooting Happen?
The shooting occurred while Ortiz was at the Dial Bar and Lounge in Santo Domingo around 8:50 p.m. on Sunday June 9 when a gunman approached from behind and shot him at close range, according to Dominican Republic National Police Director Ney Aldrin Bautista Almonte.
The Dial Bar and Lounge is located on a popular strip in the Dominican Republic’s capital. The area is described as an economically thriving district with businesses, restaurants, bars, night clubs, supermarkets and theaters.
On their Facebook page, the venue describes itself as place with “excellent music, an exceptional service and good prices with the purpose of creating a really unique atmosphere and where you feel more than comfortable with family.”
Surveillance video posted online by El Nuevo Diario, a newspaper based in that country, appears to show a man walking toward Ortiz from behind and shooting him.
Once the gun fires, Ortiz is seen falling from his chair and people in the bar scatter.
Warning: Some viewers way find the following video disturbing. Viewer discretion is advised.
How Is Big Papi?
Right after the shooting, Ortiz was rushed to the Abel Gonzalez Clinic in Santo Domingo by Eliezer Salvador, owner of Presidente Sports and friend of Ortiz. There where he underwent surgery for nearly six hours Sunday into early Monday morning.
“This man deserves better! Everyone started running, even security! My God, he’s a hero!” said Salvador, a man who says he drove Ortiz to the hospital.
Doctors had to continue working on Ortiz late into the night when parts of his intestines, colon and gallbladder had to be treated or removed.
David Ortiz was back to Boston by air ambulance on Monday night for medical care.
Ortiz is recovering at Massachusetts General Hospital. His wife, Tiffany, released in a statement on Thursday that he continues to "make progress" and was able to "sit up as well as take some steps."
Kennedy said the attack on David Ortiz "shocked us to the core... it was jarring. It was, frankly, stunning and terrifying." Says "exclusive focus" is on Ortiz' health and well-being.
What’s Happening With The Investigation?
Authorities in the Dominican Republic said on Wednesday that six men, including the gunman are under arrest in connection to the shooting former Red Sox David Ortiz.
The national police director, Maj. Gen. Ney Aldrin Bautista Almonte, said the brainchild behind the hit on Ortiz was offered 400,000 Dominican pesos, or about $7,800 USD, to orchestrate the shooting. He said the alleged coordinator was also among those in custody.
The handgun allegedly used in the attempted hit was found burried near a house, about 100 miles southwest of Santo Domingo, where one of the suspects was arrested.
Four additional suspects are also being sought out but Bautista Almonte and Chief Prosecutor Jean Alain Rodríguez offered no other details or motives as to why the group would try to kill one of their nation's most popular sports legend.
Arrest Photos From The Dominican Republic National Police
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Prosecutors have asked a judge on Tuesday to allow them to continue holding the main suspect, Vladimir Féliz García for a full year on a charge of being an accomplice on attempted murder charge.
According Bautista Almonte, Garcia was captured and severely beaten by a crowd of people at the bar.
He was treated for cranium contusion and trauma to his thorax, left knee and right leg, according to the Dominican Republic's National Health Service and then released to police.
Authorities have not yet released the identity of the suspected gunman.
According to officials, two other people were wounded, including Jhoel López, a Dominican TV host who was with Ortiz. Police believe López was wounded by the same bullet.
López was shot in the leg and his injuries were not life-threatening, said his wife, Liza Blanco, who is also a TV host to the Associated Press.
The third person has yet to be identified.
Reactions
Several of David Ortiz's former teammates, as well as other Boston sports legends, are sending their well-wishes to Big Papi as he recovers from getting shot.
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