Alberto Miguel Rodriguez Mota has been identified as the money man behind the hit on former Boston Red Sox star David Ortiz, who was shot in the back outside of a bar in the Dominican Republic. Mota is believed to have paid just shy of $8,000 for the hit on Ortiz, according to the Associated Press.
While Mota has been identified as the financer for the attack by police in the Dominican Republic, there is still no clear cut motive for the hit.
Gabriel Alexánder Pérez Vizcaíno, who goes by the nickname “Bone,” was reportedly the man who served as the liaison between Mota and the attackers. He later sold the phone used to orchestrate the shooting the following day.
A total of ten men have been arrested in connection to the botched assassination attempt. The alleged gunman Rolfi Ferreira Cruz, however, continues to say that Ortiz was not the intended target, though all evidence appears to strongly suggest otherwise.
Photos of Mota have begun to surface on social media following reports that he was the money man.
Following the shooting, Ortiz underwent two surgeries. He is in stable condition and is currently recovering in Massachusetts after being transported from the Dominican Republic. During the surgeries, Ortiz had his gallbladder removed and part of his intestines.
Ortiz was a member of three World Series championship teams during his team with the Boston Red Sox and was the 2013 World Series MVP. Ortiz was in his birthplace of Santo Domingo when he was shot.
Throughout his MLB career, Ortiz was a 10-time All-Star, seven-time Silver Slugger Award winner, Roberto Clemente Award winner, two-time AL Hank Aaron Award winner, and the AL home run leader in 2006.
Ortiz’s No. 34 was retired by the Red Sox following his playing career.
We continue to wish Ortiz all of the best in his continued recovery.
