David ‘Big Papi’ Ortiz shot outside bar in Dominican Republic

One of the biggest names in recent memory in Major League Baseball was gunned down in a sickening act outside of a bar.

David Ortiz is a Boston icon.

Former Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz was ambushed by a man who got off a motorcycle and shot him in the back at nearly point-blank range in his native Dominican Republic, authorities said.

Dominican National Police Director Ney Aldrin Bautista Almonte said Ortiz was at the Dial Bar and Lounge in Santo Domingo around 8:50pmwhen the gunman approached from behind and shot him.

Ortiz was taken to a medical facility where he underwent surgery, and his condition was stable, Bautista said.

This is what we know: David Ortiz was shot at a club/rest. in Santo Domingo; was taken to a local clinic. An attending doctor told our colleague @dSoldevila the bullet hit him in the lower back, went through-and-through. He's currently in surgery; doctors say he's out of danger.

— Marly Rivera (@MarlyRiveraESPN) June 10, 2019

The gunman was captured and beaten by a crowd of people at the bar, Bautista said. He said police are waiting until the man undergoes treatment for his injuries before questioning him.

Investigators are trying to determine whether Ortiz was the intended target, Bautista said.

Two other people were wounded, Bautista said, including Jhoel Lopez, a Dominican TV host who was with Ortiz.

Bautista said police believe Lopez was wounded by the same bullet.

Lopez was shot in the leg and his injuries were not life-threatening, said his wife, Liza Blanco, who is also a TV host.

Police did not identify the third person or detail that person’s injuries.

When David Ortiz went into the emergency room for a gunshot wound to the back that went through his abdomen, @dSoldevila reports, he said to his doctor: “Please don’t let me die. I’m a good man.” https://t.co/CeS3IWrGC2

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 10, 2019

The Dial Bar and Lounge is located in eastern Santo Domingo on Venezuela Avenue, a bustling nightlife district packed with dance clubs and pricey bars that Ortiz is known to frequent.

Ortiz, who lives at least part of the year in the Dominican, is often seen getting his cars washed and hanging out with friends including other baseball players, artists and entertainers.

Ortiz’s father, Leo, said authorities informed him about the shooting but didn’t provide details.

“They called to tell me that David is injured and that they took him to a medical centre, but they did not tell me how he is or exactly where he was transferred,” Leo Ortiz told ESPN.com.

News of the baseball superstars shooting rocked the baseball world with fans and players offering up their prayers for the slugger.

Keeping @davidortiz in my prayers. God willing he will be okay and recover quick. 🙏🏻🙏🏻

— Gleyber Torres (@TorresGleyber) June 10, 2019

Prayers up for my bro @davidortiz man. One of the best human beings I’ve ever met. Hate seeing that. Hoping for the best! 🙏🏾

— Marcus Stroman (@MStrooo6) June 10, 2019

All the prayers for @davidortiz right now 🙏🙏

— Justin Turner (@redturn2) June 10, 2019

Our thoughts are with David Ortiz, who is reportedly hospitalized after being shot in his hometown of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, per @Enrique_Rojas1. pic.twitter.com/IH3Qjxn0BT

— MLB (@MLB) June 10, 2019

The 43-year-old Ortiz hit 541 homers in 20 major league seasons, including 14 with the Red Sox.

He helped lead Boston to three World Series titles and retired after the 2016 season. He was a 10-time All-Star and two-time World Series MVP, in 2004 and 2013.

Originally published as David ‘Big Papi’ Ortiz shot outside bar in Dominican Republic