Alleged mastermind in David Ortiz shooting arrested

The alleged mastermind in the shooting of former baseball star David Ortiz has been detained, the Dominican Republic attorney general’s office confirmed to CBS News Friday. Victor Hugo Gomez has a lengthy criminal history and is believed to be a member of a major Mexican drug cartel, according to prosecutors, CBS News correspondent Mola Lenghi reports.

According to Dominican authorities, the intended target was a friend of Ortiz who was with him the night of the shooting and sitting just feet away at a bar in Santo Domingo. Authorities believe Gomez ordered the attack from inside the United States and that the alleged gunman mistook Ortiz for the man he was supposed to kill.

Prosecutors believe Gomez planned it all and that he meant to kill his own cousin, Sixto David Fernandez, who police said was wearing similar clothing to Ortiz the night of the June 9 shooting. Dominican officials believe Gomez wanted revenge against Fernandez for ratting him out for a drug offense eight years ago.

Gomez is wanted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. He had been on the run in the United States since March for a major drug sting known as “Operation Wrecking Ball.”

This is a developing story and will be updated.