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Rolfi Ferreira Cruz Says from Jail Cell That David Ortiz Wasn't Meant to Be Shot

Paul Kasabian

Rolfi Ferreira Cruz told reporters crowded outside his jail cell that he shot former Boston Red Sox superstar David Ortiz in the Dominican Republic on Sunday, but he added that the former ballplayer was not the intended target.

"It wasn't supposed to be David," Cruz said in Spanish, per TMZ Sports, who also relayed that he went to the Dial Bar on Sunday to kill someone else dressed similarly to Ortiz.

Per Michael Weissenstein of the Associated Press, six people (including Cruz) have been arrested in the murder-for-hire plot. No official motive for the attempted murder has been provided by police.

Ortiz is recovering in Boston, where he was flown after undergoing an initial surgery in the Dominican Republic. He underwent another procedure at Massachusetts General Hospital.

On Wednesday, Tiffany Ortiz, David's wife, released a statement regarding his progress.

"Yesterday and this morning, David was able to sit up as well as take some steps," she said. "His condition is guarded and he will remain in the ICU for the coming days, but he is making good progress towards recovery.

"My family and I again want to thank everyone for their endless love and well wishes, and still ask for privacy while David continues to heal."

A spokesman for Ortiz, Leo Lopez, told the Boston Globe (h/t Adam London of NESN) that "everything is fine."

"Everything is fine, he's fine," Leo Lopez said in Spanish. "The process is taking time, but everything's fine. He's fine."

Ortiz, a 10-time All-Star and seven-time Silver Slugger, won three World Series with the Red Sox. He hit 541 home runs during a 20-year MLB career.

   

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