Plotter of David Ortiz shooting was paid $7,800 as SIX people are in custody

Dominican police say Rolfy Ferreyra Cruz, 25, has confessed to being the gunman who shot Boston Red Sox legend David Ortiz in Santo Domingo on Sunday

Dominican authorities said on Wednesday the person behind the shooting of former Red Sox star David Ortiz was offered 400,000 Dominican pesos, or about $7,800, to carry out the hit.

Speaking at a press conference in Santo Domingo, Police Maj. Gen. Ney Aldrin Bautista Almonte, the director of the Dominican Republic’s National Police, declined to provide a motive for the shooting, but did say that at least five suspects are in custody.

He added that the alleged coordinator is one of the suspects detained.

Witnesses say the crime was carried out by two men on a motorcycle and a group of people in two cars.

Authorities gave the name of the alleged shooter as Rolfy Ferreyra Cruz, 25, aka Sandy. 

The police chief said that Ferreyra has confessed to the crime. 

The other five suspects in custody have been identified as Joel Rodríguez de la Cruz Calamardo; Porfirio Ayendi Dechamps Vásquez, aka Nene; Eddy Vladimir Feliz García; Reynaldo Rodríguez Valenzuela; and Oliver Moisés Mirabal Acosta. 

Luis Alfredo Rivas Class, a seventh suspect, has yet to be arrested as authorities search for him. 

Prosecutors have said two men on the motorcycle were seen on security camera footage talking with other people in an Accent and a Hyundai in a nearby street before the shooting at a popular Santo Domingo bar on Sunday night.

 

Police Maj. Gen. Ney Aldrin Bautista Almonte said the people behind the shooting of David Ortiz was paid $7,800. He is seen above at a news conference in Santo Domingo on Wednesday holding what investigators believe is the gun used to shoot Ortiz

Police Maj. Gen. Ney Aldrin Bautista Almonte said the people behind the shooting of David Ortiz was paid $7,800. He is seen above at a news conference in Santo Domingo on Wednesday holding what investigators believe is the gun used to shoot Ortiz

The weapon allegedly used to shoot Ortiz is a Browning Hi-Power pistol, according to Dominican police

The weapon allegedly used to shoot Ortiz is a Browning Hi-Power pistol, according to Dominican police

Meanwhile, in Boston, Ortiz’s wife said in statement that the former Red Sox star was able to sit up and take some steps as he recuperates in the intensive care unit at Massachusetts General Hospital.

The chief prosecutor in the Dominican Republic says five people, including the alleged gunman, have been detained in the shooting of Ortiz.

A total of six suspects have been detained, and authorities say a seventh suspect is being pursued in the shooting.

Eddy Vladimir Feliz García

Oliver Moisés Mirabal Acosta

Dominican police released the mug shots of the six men in custody. Two of them – Eddy Vladimir Feliz García (left) and Oliver Moisés Mirabal Acosta (right) – are seen above

Porfirio Ayendi Dechamps Vásquez

Joel Rodríguez de la Cruz

Two other men arrested in the shooting – Porfirio Ayendi Dechamps Vásquez (left) and Joel Rodríguez de la Cruz (right) – are seen above

The Dominican Republic’s chief prosecutor Jean Alain Rodríguez Sánchez spoke at a news conference on Wednesday.

The attack on David ‘Big Papi’ Ortiz in the Dominican Republic was a sophisticated hit-job involving two cars which staked him out before he was shot by a man on a motorcycle, local police have claimed. 

Ortiz, 43, was shot in the back on Sunday night as he had drinks with a friend at the Dial bar in Santo Domingo. 

Dominican prosecutors said in a court document that one of the suspects, Mirabal Acosta, had been seen driving the Accent before mounting a motorcycle driven by 25-year-old Feliz García. 

Luis Alfredo Rivas Class, a sixth suspect, has yet to be arrested as authorities search for him

Luis Alfredo Rivas Class, a sixth suspect, has yet to be arrested as authorities search for him

‘In one of the videos it was possible to observe both the accused and the shooter planning the commission of the incident right on Octavio Mejía Ricard Street, which is parallel to the place where the event took place,’ prosecutors said in the court document.

The document said Feliz García, the driver, was captured after he skidded and fell off his bike as the two tried to flee. 

An enraged group of people captured Feliz García and beat him severely before handing him over to the police.

Mirabal Acosta was captured Tuesday night in Mao, in the northern Dominican Republic.

Feliz García’s lawyer said his client, who has been charged with being an accomplice to attempted murder, is an innocent motorcycle taxi driver who had no idea his passenger was going to commit a crime.

‘He didn’t know what they were going to do. He’s a fan of David’s,’ the lawyer, Deivi Solano, said Tuesday.

Feliz Garcia has now been charged with a slew of charges including attempted murder but his lawyer says he is an innocent moped taxi driver who had no clue what Acosta was planning. 

Eddy Feliz Garcia, 25, was driving the motorcycle with the shooter on the back. He is shown being transferred from one police station to another on Tuesday night. He was savagely beaten by a crowd at the scene of the shooting

Eddy Feliz Garcia, 25, was driving the motorcycle with the shooter on the back. He is shown being transferred from one police station to another on Tuesday night. He was savagely beaten by a crowd at the scene of the shooting

Feliz Garcia, 25, was driving the motorcycle with the shooter on the back. He is shown being transferred from one police station to another on Tuesday night. He was savagely beaten by a crowd at the scene of the shooting

Police are yet to confirm a motive but multiple law enforcement sources told DailyMail.com earlier this week that the hitmen were hired by a reputed drug lord who believed Ortiz, who is married, was having an affair with his wife. 

The baseball star’s representatives dismissed that it was over a woman but said they had no doubt it was a contract job. 

Ortiz was flown back to Boston on Monday on a Red Sox plane. 

He is now recovering in the hospital, where he is expected to remain for some time, but took his first steps yesterday. 

Doctors say he is lucky to be alive. The bullet hit him in the back and exited through his stomach. 

He had to have surgery to have part of his gallbladder removed and some of his intestines were taken out but he is expected to make a full recovery.

The baseball star is as much of a living legend in the Dominican Republic, where he was born, as he is in Boston, where he played for years on the Red Sox. 

David Ortiz is pictured above following his surgery in a hospital in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic after he was shot on Sunday evening. He is now in a Boston hospital

David Ortiz is pictured above following his surgery in a hospital in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic after he was shot on Sunday evening. He is now in a Boston hospital

Dominican media late Tuesday posted a photo on Twitter showing the alleged gunman. 

The former Red Sox slugger had a second surgery on Tuesday though it is not clear what it was for. 

Afterwards, he took his first steps in front of Tiffany and their teenage children. 

He first had surgery to remove part of his intestines and gallbladder. It is unclear what the second surgery was for but his spokesman said he took his first steps afterwards.

On Monday, Ortiz’s 14-year-old son D’Angelo took to Instagram to share a photograph of his father, writing: ‘Pops I Love u there is nobody stronger then u (sic). 

‘It’s only a matter of days till ur (sic) up running around doing ur (sic) thing again I love u (sic) pops endlessly and everybody is praying for you right now love you.’ 

D’Angelo was spotted arriving at the clinic where his father was being treated in Santo Domingo on Monday before he was cleared for travel. 

On Sunday, he was shot in the back by an unnamed gunman as he sat with friends at the Dial Bar and Lounge. 

The Red Sox sent its team plane to retrieve Ortiz on Monday after he was cleared for travel by doctors. 

They say that after the surgery, he opened his eyes and asked for his family.  

Eddy Feliz Garcia is shown being attacked by a crowd of Ortiz's friends and supporters after the shooting. He was driving the motorcycle and the shooter, who has not been named, was on the back of it

Eddy Feliz Garcia is shown being attacked by a crowd of Ortiz’s friends and supporters after the shooting. He was driving the motorcycle and the shooter, who has not been named, was on the back of it 

Garcia is shown in police custody after being removed from the scene. He suffered extensive injuries before officers arrived

Garcia is shown in police custody after being removed from the scene. He suffered extensive injuries before officers arrived

Garcia is shown in police custody after being removed from the scene. He suffered extensive injuries before officers arrived 

David Ortiz is shown in the center of this image with friends including Jhoel Lopez (far left), hours before he was shot. He is in the hospital and is in a stable condition after having his gallbladder and parts of his intestines removed 

In another image taken hours before they were shot, the pair are shown smiling for the camera 

Ortiz is credited with helping the city of Boston recover from the Boston Marathon bombing in April 2013 with an iconic speech where he told crowds: ‘This is our f****** city’. 

‘He’s on the Mount Rushmore of Boston sports,’ said Eddie Romero, the team’s assistant general manager. 

Ortiz is shown on Sunday hours before being shot with his friend Jhoel Lopez

Ortiz is shown on Sunday hours before being shot with his friend Jhoel Lopez 

‘He is a superhero without a cape,’ Red Sox manager Alex Cora told reporters on Monday. 

‘That’s the way we see him.’

‘I always said that he’s bigger than life, David,’ the manager said. 

‘He’ll give you a hug, a big smile, he does it with everybody. He does it with my daughter and my kids. 

‘So it’s been a tough one. 

‘I just hope when he gets here everything is fine and we can see the big man again with us filling a room with joy.’ 

Cora was teammates with Ortiz during their years on the Red Sox. 

Another former teammate, retired catcher Jason Varitek, also spoke out in support of Ortiz. 

‘I didn’t sleep very well last night,’ Varitek told the Boston Herald. 

‘I don’t think anybody did. We spent a lot of time trying to figure out what was going on. 

‘Still don’t know that much but everybody has seen and heard.’ 

Television cameras showed Ortiz, 43, being transported from Clinica Abel Gonzalez in Santo Domingo to the airport via ambulance. 

Before the team’s game against the Texas Rangers at Fenway Park on Monday, the players and fans in attendance observed a moment of silence in honor of Ortiz. 

‘All of us were shocked by last night’s news about David Ortiz,’ the public address announcer at Fenway Park said.

‘Our community has felt a palpable concern ever since.

‘As befits his outsized personality, wishes for a speedy recovery have poured in from all over baseball, from the world of sports, and even from respected world leaders.

An ambulance is seen above transporting Ortiz to the airport where a plane sent by the Boston Red Sox was waiting to take the retired slugger back to Boston for continued medical treatment

The Boston Red Sox arranged for a team plane to pick up Ortiz from the Dominican Republic

The Boston Red Sox arranged for a team plane to pick up Ortiz from the Dominican Republic

Ortiz's 14-year-old son D'Angelo was shown arriving at the clinic in Santo Domingo on Monday before he was flown home on a Red Sox jet

Ortiz’s 14-year-old son D’Angelo was shown arriving at the clinic in Santo Domingo on Monday before he was flown home on a Red Sox jet 

‘He is loved throughout our nation and beyond, yet, to us, he is our own adopted son.

‘Won’t you please join us as we offer a moment of reflection, thought, and prayer for a complete healing and a full recovery for our beloved Big Papi.’

On Twitter, former President Barack Obama posted a photo showing him, Ortiz, and the rest of the Red Sox during their visit to the White House celebrating their World Series championship.

Obama tweeted: ‘Six years ago, David Ortiz’s spirit and resolve helped us all begin to heal from the Boston Marathon bombing. 

‘Today, I want to join many others in wishing him a speedy recovery of his own. 

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh tweeted: 'Boston is thinking of you, @davidortiz, and wishing you a full and quick recovery. Get well soon.'

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh tweeted: ‘Boston is thinking of you, @davidortiz, and wishing you a full and quick recovery. Get well soon.’

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady tweeted a picture of him greeting Ortiz. The caption read: 'Papi defines Boston Strong...get well soon my friend!!!'

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady tweeted a picture of him greeting Ortiz. The caption read: ‘Papi defines Boston Strong…get well soon my friend!!!’

The Boston Bruins tweeted a photo of Ortiz with Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara. The caption read: 'Boston loves Bib Papi. Wishing you all the best in your recovery, @davidortiz.'

The Boston Bruins tweeted a photo of Ortiz with Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara. The caption read: ‘Boston loves Bib Papi. Wishing you all the best in your recovery, @davidortiz.’

The Boston Celtics tweeted a photo showing its star forward, Al Horford, sharing a laugh with Ortiz. The caption read: 'Few people can influence a city like you have. Wishing you a speedy recovery, #34.'

The Boston Celtics tweeted a photo showing its star forward, Al Horford, sharing a laugh with Ortiz. The caption read: ‘Few people can influence a city like you have. Wishing you a speedy recovery, #34.’

The New England Patriots tweeted a photo of Ortiz wearing a No. 12 Tom Brady jersey. 'Big Papi means the world to this city,' the Patriots tweeted. 'Wishing you a speedy recovery, @davidortiz'

The New England Patriots tweeted a photo of Ortiz wearing a No. 12 Tom Brady jersey. ‘Big Papi means the world to this city,’ the Patriots tweeted. ‘Wishing you a speedy recovery, @davidortiz’

Ron Gronkowski, the star Patriots tight end who retired at the end of last season, tweeted: 'Thinking of you @davidortiz you're a legend, friend, and represent strength like no other! Get well soon, New England loves you'

Ron Gronkowski, the star Patriots tight end who retired at the end of last season, tweeted: ‘Thinking of you @davidortiz you’re a legend, friend, and represent strength like no other! Get well soon, New England loves you’

Major League Baseball tweeted: 'Our thoughts are with David Ortiz, who is reportedly hospitalized after being shot in his hometown of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic'

Major League Baseball tweeted: ‘Our thoughts are with David Ortiz, who is reportedly hospitalized after being shot in his hometown of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic’

‘Get well soon, Papi.’ 

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh tweeted: ‘Boston is thinking of you, @davidortiz, and wishing you a full and quick recovery. Get well soon.’ 

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady tweeted a picture of him greeting Ortiz. The caption read: ‘Papi defines Boston Strong…get well soon my friend!!!’ 

The Boston Bruins tweeted a photo of Ortiz with Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara. The caption read: ‘Boston loves Bib Papi. Wishing you all the best in your recovery, @davidortiz.’ 

The Boston Celtics tweeted a photo showing its star forward, Al Horford, sharing a laugh with Ortiz. The caption read: ‘Few people can influence a city like you have. Wishing you a speedy recovery, #34.’ 

The New England Patriots tweeted a photo of Ortiz wearing a No. 12 Tom Brady jersey. ‘Big Papi means the world to this city,’ the Patriots tweeted. ‘Wishing you a speedy recovery, @davidortiz.’ 

Ron Gronkowski, the star Patriots tight end who retired at the end of last season, tweeted: ‘Thinking of you @davidortiz you’re a legend, friend, and represent strength like no other! Get well soon, New England loves you’ 

Major League Baseball tweeted: ‘Our thoughts are with David Ortiz, who is reportedly hospitalized after being shot in his hometown of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.’    

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