San Francisco 49ers player Ricky Pearsall was shot in the chest during an attempted robbery, with police reporting that a 17-year-old suspect is now in custody.
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was shot in the chest during an attempted robbery in San Francisco on Saturday afternoon, according to a team statement.
The 49ers confirmed that Pearsall is in serious but stable condition.
The incident occurred around 3:30 p.m. PT when a 17-year-old boy tried to rob Pearsall at gunpoint while he was walking alone. An altercation ensued, leading to both Pearsall and the suspect being injured.
San Francisco Police Chief William Scott stated at a news conference that multiple shots were fired, hitting both Pearsall and the suspect. The suspect, a resident of Tracy, California, was apprehended after attempting to flee, Scott added.
San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced at a news conference that charges against the suspect will be filed in juvenile court. A decision on the charges is expected by Tuesday or Wednesday.
“Since the suspect is a juvenile, the case will be handled in juvenile court while we review the evidence and determine the next steps,” Jenkins said.
Officers provided medical assistance to both Pearsall and the suspect before transporting them to the hospital for treatment.
Police have not yet disclosed a motive for the shooting, but there is no evidence suggesting that Pearsall was targeted because of his football career, according to Police Chief William Scott. He emphasized that the department believes the incident was an attempted robbery and that the suspect was acting alone. Only one gun was involved, and it has been recovered.
The exact number of times Pearsall was shot and what the suspect intended to steal remain unclear. Police are currently reviewing video footage as part of their investigation. Pearsall was alert enough to speak with police, but further confirmation is still needed, Scott said.
The 49ers released a statement expressing their support: “Our thoughts and prayers are with Ricky and the entire Pearsall family.”
San Francisco Mayor London Breed described the attempted robbery as “a terrible and rare incident in Union Square” and expressed hope for Pearsall’s recovery and return to the field.
Police Chief Scott, who was “extremely shocked and saddened” by the incident, stated, “This kind of violence has no place in our city and will not be tolerated. My heart goes out to Mr. Pearsall and his family, and I wish him a speedy recovery.” He also commended the swift action of the officers and vowed to seek justice.
Pearsall, who was drafted by the 49ers as the 31st pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, played college football at Arizona State and Florida. He had accumulated 965 receiving yards and six touchdowns in his final season at Florida. Pearsall had been recovering from a shoulder injury and had recently resumed practice after missing the 49ers' preseason games.
Teammate Deebo Samuel shared on social media, “He’s good,” expressing relief following the incident.
The 49ers are scheduled to play their season opener against the New York Jets on September 9.
Chief Scott also assured that additional officers would be deployed in Union Square to address any public concerns and ensure community safety.
