SANTO DOMINGO — Police in the Dominican Republic are searching for a former Chicago Cubs minor leaguer suspected of shooting a 26-year-old man dead in a money dispute.
Outfielder Josefrailin Alcántara, who recently played in the Chicago Cubs minor league system, is accused of fatally shooting his friend during an argument inside a car, according to the Dominican Republic newspaper Diario Libre.
Officials said the incident happened in Alcántara’s hometown of Santiago on May 18.
Alcántara allegedly had a dispute with the victim, identified as Darwin Díaz Valerio, over RD $150,000 — equivalent to $2,747.68 — and shot him twice, according to the outlet.
He later fled after he received treatment at a medical facility.
The 18-year-old’s cousin, Diego Aníbal Rodríguez Martínez, who was allegedly in the back of the Hyundai Sonata when the brutal slaying occurred, was arrested on May 24.
The outlet reports that Dominican police are in possession of the car where they found a nine-millimeter bullet and blood stains within the interior.
Alcántara signed with the Cubs as an international free agent in January 2022.
The prospect, who was once praised for his athleticism and power, received a $500,000 bonus when he inked a deal with the club.
“We were made aware of a death investigation involving one of our recently released minor-league players,” the Cubs told the Chicago Tribune in a statement. “We cannot provide further comment until we have additional details.”
Alcántara played one season within the Cubs minor league system.
Last year, he slashed .136 and tallied 10 RBIs through 40 games in the Dominican Summer League.
It marks the second time in three years that a Cubs prospect had a run-in with law enforcement.
In March 2021, pitcher Jesus Camargo-Corrales was arrested when Colorado police found 21 pounds of methamphetamine and 1.2 pounds of oxycodone pills in his duffel bag, which featured the Cubs logo.
Camargo-Corrales was sentenced to 14 years in prison on drug-trafficking-related charges.