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Former MLB star David Ortiz allegedly shot by cops hired by a drug lord in Dominican Republic
John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

Former MLB star David Ortiz allegedly shot by cops hired by a drug lord in Dominican Republic

Multiple suspects are in custody

Former Boston Red Sox star David "Big Papi" Ortiz was shot Sunday night in the Dominican Republic, and remains in intensive care after a bullet went into his back and out his stomach, according to CNN.

Police have detained multiple suspects, including one who was beat up by some bystanders as he tried to escape the scene. The Daily Mail reports that the suspect was "beaten relentlessly" until police arrived, and suffered extensive injuries.

What happened?

Ortiz was at the Dial Discotheque in Santo Domingo, his hometown, Sunday night. Two men approached the club on motorcycles, and at least one opened fire and shot Ortiz in the back. Jhoel Lopez, a television host who was at the club with Ortiz, was also shot.

As the suspects attempted to flee, they crashed the motorcycle. That's when bystanders got a hold of Eddy Vladimir Feliz Garcia and roughed him up before turning him over to police. The other suspect fled on foot, but has also been captured by police. Ortiz told police he does not know Feliz Garcia.

How is Ortiz?

The Boston legend is recovering from surgery. He has been dealing with bleeding in his liver, and has had his gall bladder removed. He is currently in stable condition, and is awaiting approval from doctors to be transported to the United States.

The Red Sox plan to facilitate Ortiz's travel back to Boston.

Why did this happen?

The New York Post reported Monday that Dominican Republic authorities believe Ortiz was shot by two police officers who had been hired by a drug lord who believes Ortiz was having an affair with his wife.

Leo Lopez, a representative of Ortiz, denied the affair narrative but did say he believed the gunmen had been hired to kill Ortiz.

"There is no doubt that it was an act of hired killers," Lopez said. "If we had known that there was a dangerous situation, he would not have been there at that moment."

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