A juvenile suspect has been apprehended following an incident in which San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was shot in the chest during an attempted robbery on Saturday afternoon in central San Francisco. Authorities reported that Pearsall, 23, is currently in stable condition at San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center.
The shooting occurred shortly after 3:30 p.m. on Geary Boulevard in the Union Square area, where Pearsall was walking alone when the suspect allegedly attempted to rob him with a firearm. A struggle ensued between Pearsall and the assailant, resulting in gunfire that struck both Pearsall and the suspect, according to San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott.
Local officers quickly responded to the scene, providing emergency medical assistance and apprehending the suspect. The suspect, a 17-year-old male from Tracy, California, was also taken to San Francisco General, although his condition has not been disclosed. Authorities recovered a firearm believed to belong to the suspect, and they suspect he acted independently in the crime.
Chief Scott expressed the city’s zero tolerance for such violence, stating that they will collaborate with District Attorney Brooke Jenkins to ensure justice is served. Jenkins announced that her office plans to make a charging decision by Tuesday or Wednesday and will file any charges through the juvenile court system.
There is no evidence to suggest that Pearsall was specifically targeted due to his position with the 49ers. The team earlier stated that Pearsall sustained a serious but stable injury in the shooting and asked for privacy for him and his family during this time. Teammate Deebo Samuel shared on social media that Pearsall is doing well.
Mayor London Breed expressed confidence in the district attorney’s commitment to prosecuting the case and conveyed her gratitude to the medical staff, police, and first responders. She described the shooting as a tragic and unusual event in Union Square, extending her thoughts to Pearsall and his family as they wish for his recovery and return to the field.
Pearsall was drafted in April by the 49ers as the 31st overall pick but has faced injury challenges since joining the team. He missed portions of training camp due to hamstring and shoulder problems but returned to practice recently in a non-contact jersey.
Before joining the 49ers, Pearsall began his college career at Arizona State and transferred to Florida for his final two seasons, amassing impressive stats with 65 catches for 965 yards and four touchdowns last season. The 49ers have anticipated his contributions as a rookie, supporting starters Brandon Aiyuk and Samuel.