‘Mastermind’ Behind Big Papi Shooting ID’d As Victor Hugo Gomez

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. (THECOUNT) — Victor Hugo Gomez has been identified as the “mastermind” behind the former MLB player David Ortiz shooting, officials say.

Gomez has been arrested in the Dominican Republic and named as the man who allegedly put the wheels in motion for a team of hitmen to roll up to a popular lounge with murderous intent on June 9.

Of course, Dominican officials have now said they don’t believe Ortiz was the intended target that night — insisting the shooter mistook the MLB legend for a friend who was sitting nearby, reports TMZ.

Ortiz was hit in the back — but the bullet caused serious damage to several organs including his intestines and liver. After the initial life-saving surgery, Ortiz was flown to Boston where he’s been receiving treatment ever since.

As for Gomez, officials say he put out the hit on Ortiz’s friend while Gomez was inside the United States. Officials say Gomez has a criminal record and possible ties to a drug cartel.

So far, at least 10 people have been arrested in the investigation — including the shooter Rolfi Ferreira Cruz, who has said on the record that Ortiz was not his target.

Boston Red Sox “Big Papi” David Ortiz was shot in the leg during a robbery Sunday in the Dominican Republic, say family members.

Ortiz, 43, was reportedly visiting at a nightclub in Santo Domingo when a gunman opened fire on Ortiz.

Ortiz was put inside of an ambulance and rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. His condition is unknown at this point.

Ortiz’s father Leo Ortiz confirmed the incident to ESPN … saying, “They called to tell me that David is injured and that they took him to a medical center, but they did not tell me how he is or exactly where he was transferred,” reports TMZ Sunday.

The suspect has reportedly been arrested.

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