Authorities in the Dominican Republic have reportedly arrested a second suspect in the Sunday night shooting of former Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz.
Ortiz was shot in the back at close range while sitting at a streetside bar and lounge in Santo Domingo. Doctors said he suffered damage to his liver and intestines and underwent six hours of emergency surgery at a Dominican hospital before being flown to Boston on the Red Sox private plane Monday night.
The Associated Press reports that Eddy, the driver of the motorcycle, remains in custody along with another man, Erick. A spokesman for Dominican prosecutors said Eddy was charged as an accomplice in an attempted murder. His lawyer, Deivi Solano, told the AP that his client did not know what was about to happen when he picked up the gunman and is a fan of Ortiz. Eddy was reportedly stopped and beaten by onlookers in the chaotic moments after the shooting.
Authorities first said Eddy was the shooter, then revised that to say he was the driver. Officials have not told the AP whether the actual shooter is among those taken into custody. Two other people were wounded, including television host Jhoel Lopez, who was hit in the leg by the same bullet that struck Ortiz.
Ortiz’s wife, Tiffany, thanked fans for the outpouring of support in a statement and asked for privacy while David works toward recovery.
Theories about a motive circulated on social media after the shooting. The Dominican National Police issued a statement calling reports that a police officer was involved categorically false, saying the institution has no link to the incident.
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