David Ortiz is expected to make a full recovery after being shot while at a bar in the Dominican Republic on Sunday night.
Ortiz was enjoying an evening at Dial Bar in his hometown of Santo Domingo and sitting outside on the patio with his back to the street. Video shows him getting shot in the back from close range by someone who popped into the frame out of nowhere, with a report from CDN saying the man arrived on a motorcycle.
Ortiz and his friend, TV personality Jhoel Lopez, were taken to a local medical center for treatment. Both were said to be in stable condition, with Lopez making a recovery after suffering a wound in his leg, and Ortiz undergoing surgery after being shot in the back. The bullet exited through Ortiz’s abdomen.
Late Sunday night, Ortiz’s father told reporters that no organs were hit and that his son was expected to make a full recovery.
Padre de David Ortiz dice que David ya esta en reposo, no hubo organos afectados y se espera recuperación total.
— Dionisio Soldevila (@dSoldevila) June 10, 2019
Ortiz was conscious and talking when he arrived for medical treatment, local reporters said. He was fearful for his life and apparently told the doctor, “please don’t let me die. I’m a good man.”
David Ortiz told ER doctor “please don’t let me die. I’m a good man”
— Dionisio Soldevila (@dSoldevila) June 10, 2019
Initial reports had said Ortiz was shot in a robbery attempt and struck in the leg. Not only did police later say the shooting was not in relation to a robbery attempt, but Ortiz was also shot in the back/abdomen, so both pieces of information were proven to be inaccurate.
Ortiz, 43, played 20 seasons in the majors and retired after 2016. He made 10 All-Star teams, won three World Series, and finished top-5 in MVP voting five times. He is regarded as one of the best and most beloved Red Sox ever.
