It looks like David Ortiz was shot as a case of mistaken identity.
The lead prosecutor stated on Wednesday that the former Red Sox slugger was not the target of a shooting at a nightclub in his hometown on June 9th.
Attorney General Jean Alain Rodriguez says the target was actually another man seated near Ortiz who was dressed similarly to him at a bar in Santo Domingo.
Via TMZ:
“D.R. police and prosecutors just announced Sixto David Fernandez — who was allegedly sitting near Ortiz at Dial Bar and Lounge in Santo Domingo on June 9 — was supposed to be the target.
Officials say the gunman who shot Big Papi from point-blank range in the back was confused by the clothing Ortiz was wearing and fired on him instead of Fernandez.
Officials say they were able to confirm Fernandez was, in fact, the man the suspects wanted to hit because they were able to obtain a picture of the target that was circulated amongst the alleged criminals.
Officials also say a man named Victor Hugo Gómez — a 43-year-old who’s wanted in the United States after being caught in a major federal drug bust — is the one who ordered the hit.”
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As many as 10 people were paid around $8,000 to complete the hit. 25-year-old Rolfi Ferreira Cruz has already confessed to being the shooter.
Ortiz remains hospitalized from the gunshot wound to his back. Doctors have upgraded his condition from “guarded” to “good.”
