Boston Red Sox star David Ortiz shot in Dominican Republic

Legendary former Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz has been shot and wounded in the Dominican Republic's capital.

Dominican-American David Ortiz, nicknamed Big Papi, was shot in the back during an "incident" at a club in Santo Domingo, according to reports citing the local police spokesperson. Other sources indicate Ortiz was shot in the leg. 

Upon his admission to the emergency room, Ortiz appeared to fear for his life. “Please do not let me die; I am a good man,” he said, according to one of the medics.

Dominican National Police spokesman Felix Durán Mejia said that a gunman approached Ortiz on a motorcycle before opening fire. The man has been identified as Eddy Feliz Garcia. Videos posted online appear to show him beaten and bloodied after he was apprehended, apparently by other club visitors at the scene.

CCTV footage of the incident has also appeared, showing people scattering during the attack.

In the hospital, Ortiz successfully underwent surgery, according to his father and brother, who said that no vital organs had been hit and that Ortiz is stable and expected to make a full recovery.

Ortiz’s attacker also injured another man and was arrested at the scene before he could flee, Dominican journalist Jose Monegro reported on Twitter. The assailant apparently fired only one shot, injuring both Ortiz and TV presenter Jhoel López.

Lopez was shot in the leg and is also in stable condition.  

The attack had "nothing to do with robbery," Director of the National Police Major General Ney Aldrin Bautista Almonte told the media, contradicting earlier reports.

Ortiz retired from Major League Baseball in 2016 after playing for 20 seasons. Starting his career with the Minnesota Twins, he found fame after signing with the Red Sox in 2003. With 541 home runs, 1,768 runs batted in, and a batting average of .286, Ortiz is considered one of the greatest power hitters in baseball history.