Praying for 'Big Papi': 7 photos taken following David Ortiz shooting in the Dominican Republic

After being shot in a Santa Domingo nightclub, Boston Red Sox legend David Ortiz was hospitalized and stabilized before later being flown back to Boston. AFP photographer Erika Santelices was on the scene.

The incident sparked widespread concern in both the United States and the Dominican Republic, as news of the legendary home-run hitter, affectionately known as 'Big Papi' spread across outlets in both countries.

Below are seven photographs taken by the AFP agency during the immediate aftermath of the incident, as Ortiz was transported to the hospital and representatives addressed the media to inform them of the baseball superstar's condition.

Ortiz was rushed to the Abel Gonzalez Clinic in Santo Domingo by car, driven by his friend Eliezer Salvador © AFP / Erika Santelices

Ortiz's friend Eliezer Salvador arrives at the clinic holding the jewels and blood-stained clothes Ortiz was wearing © AFP / Erika Santelices

A close-up of Ortiz's bloody items after the shooting © AFP / Erika Santelices

Ortiz's father, Leo Ortiz, addresses the press outside the clinic © AFP / Erika Santelices

Lisa Blanco, wife of Dominican television presenter Joel Lopez, who was wounded in the incident, talks to the press © AFP / Erika Santelices

Major General Ney Aldrin Bautista, director of the Dominican National Police, speaks to the press outside the clinic © AFP / Erika Santelices

The ambulance carrying David Ortiz leaves the clinic the evening after the shooting © AFP / Erika Santelices