The alleged mastermind responsible for the shooting of former Red Sox slugger David Ortiz has been arrested while trying to flee the Dominican Republic, authorities announced Friday.
Victor Hugo Gómez was identified as the alleged mastermind of the attack in a tweet posted by the Dominican Republic National Police announcing his arrest.
Further details about the arrest were not released at this time, but authorities promised more details were coming later today.
Prosecutors say the hit on Ortiz was not planned and Gomez had instead paid for a hit on the man sitting with the former Red Sox star the night of the shooting, Sixto David Fernandez, who was sitting at Ortiz's table when he was shot.
Authorities said they believe Gomez, who is Fernandez's cousin, ordered the hit on Fernandez because he believed the man had turned him in to Dominican investigators back in 2011.
Gomez is also wanted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency because of his alleged ties with Mexico's Gulf Cartel.
At least twelve suspects have been taken into custody in connection with Ortiz's shooting. Two other suspects are still on the loose, authorities said.
Ortiz was shot and wounded while he was sitting at a table at the Dial Bar and Lounge in Santo Domingo. The bullet passed through his body and hit his friend, TV talk show host, Jhoel Lopez, in the leg. The accused gunman fled on food while an enraged crowd chased after the suspect, beating him severely before he was turned over to police.
Ortiz was recently released from the Intensive Care Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital where he remains in good condition and continues to recover.
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