A juvenile suspect is in custody after allegedly shooting San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall in the chest on Saturday afternoon during an attempted robbery in central San Francisco, officials said.
Pearsall, 23, was released from San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center on Sunday, according to a statement from the team. He had been listed in fair condition.
Pearsall was walking alone with shopping bags to his car just after 3:30 p.m. on Saturday when a suspect tried to rob him with a gun on Geary Boulevard in the Union Square area, officials said.
“There was a struggle between Mr. Pearsall and the suspect, and gunfire from the suspect’s gun hit both Mr. Pearsall and the suspect,” San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott said during a news briefing.
Officers nearby responded quickly, gave emergency medical aid, and arrested the suspect.
The suspect, a 17-year-old male from Tracy, California, about 60 miles east of San Francisco, was also taken to San Francisco General. His condition was not immediately revealed.
Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots. A gun believed to belong to the suspect was recovered, and investigators think he acted alone, Scott said.
A video taken by a witness showed Pearsall, shirtless with a large chest wound, being helped into an ambulance, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
“This kind of violence is simply unacceptable in our city, and we will do everything we can to work with District Attorney Brooke Jenkins to ensure that justice is served,” Scott said.
Jenkins told reporters at the briefing that her office expects to decide on charges by Tuesday or Wednesday and will initially file any charges in the juvenile court system.
Scott mentioned that there was no sign that Pearsall was targeted because he is a player for the city’s football team.
“He and his family, along with the entire San Francisco 49ers organization, would like to thank the San Francisco Police Department, emergency medical services, doctors and staff at San Francisco General Hospital,” said the team statement on Sunday.
“He’s good,” 49ers teammate Deebo Samuel posted on X. “Thank god!!!!” Mayor London Breed expressed confidence in the district attorney’s actions to handle the case. “This is how we hold people accountable in San Francisco.
Robberies and any violence like this will not be tolerated in our city,” Breed said during the briefing, also thanking the hospital staff, police, and first responders including San Francisco Fire Department personnel.
“This was a terrible and rare incident in Union Square and our thoughts are with Ricky Pearsall and his family. He has a bright future and I look forward to seeing him recover and get back on the field,” Breed said.
Pearsall was drafted in the first round in April by the 49ers with the 31st overall pick but has faced injuries since joining the team.
He missed some time during training camp due to hamstring and shoulder problems before returning to practice this past week with a noncontact blue jersey while his shoulder heals.
Pearsall started his college career at Arizona State and then transferred to Florida for his last two seasons. He had 65 catches for 965 yards and four touchdowns last season for the Gators and finished his college career with 159 catches for 2,420 yards and 14 touchdowns.
The 49ers had hoped Pearsall could contribute as a rookie, serving as a backup to starters Brandon Aiyuk and Samuel.
