Dominican police say David Ortiz was ambushed in night club

Night club where David Ortiz was shot in the Dominican Republic — (Image credit: Erika Santelices/AFP/Getty Images)

Former Rex Sox slugger David Ortiz was shot Sunday night by a gunman who approached him from behind and ambushed him at a bar in Santo Domingo, police in the Dominican Republic said early Monday. In at statement, the Red Sox said Ortiz's family said he was shot in the "lower back/abdominal region" and is "recovering after surgery."

Ortiz's father, Leo Ortiz, said his son is out of danger and he has no idea why anybody would want to shoot him. Dominican National Police Director Ney Aldrin Bautista Almonte said other patrons at the bar captured and beat the gunman, and police are waiting until the suspect recovers before questioning him. Television host Jhoel López, with Ortiz in the bar, was reportedly shot in the leg. Ortiz, 43, retired from Major League Baseball in 2016 after 20 years and three World Series rings.

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.