SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A juvenile suspect is in custody after allegedly shooting San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall in the chest during an attempted robbery on Saturday afternoon in central San Francisco, according to officials.
The 23-year-old Pearsall was released from San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center on Sunday, where he had been treated and was reported to be in fair condition.
Pearsall was walking alone with shopping bags to his car shortly after 3:30 p.m. when a suspect attempted to rob him at gunpoint on Geary Boulevard near Union Square. A struggle ensued, resulting in gunfire that struck both Pearsall and the suspect, as explained by San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott during a news conference.
Witness video captured Pearsall, shirtless and with a significant chest wound, being assisted into an ambulance, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
“This kind of violence is simply unacceptable in our city, and we will collaborate with District Attorney Brooke Jenkins to ensure justice is served,” Scott said.
Jenkins indicated that her office would likely make a charging decision by Tuesday or Wednesday, initially filing any charges in the juvenile court system.
Scott noted there was no evidence suggesting Pearsall was targeted because of his association with the 49ers.
The team released a statement thanking the San Francisco Police Department, emergency medical services, and the hospital staff for their support. “He’s good,” 49ers teammate Deebo Samuel wrote on X. “Thank God!”
Mayor London Breed expressed confidence in the district attorney’s approach to prosecuting the case. “This is how we hold people accountable in San Francisco. Robberies and violence like this will not be tolerated,” she said, also acknowledging the hospital staff and first responders.
“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 return to the field,” Breed added.
Pearsall was drafted in April by the 49ers as the 31st overall pick but has faced injury setbacks since joining the team. He missed parts of training camp due to hamstring and shoulder issues but recently returned to practice with a non-contact jersey while recovering.
Pearsall began his college career at Arizona State before transferring to Florida for his final two seasons, where he made 65 catches for 965 yards and four touchdowns last season, totaling 159 receptions for 2,420 yards and 14 TDs in his college career. The 49ers had hoped he would contribute as a rookie, providing backup to starters Brandon Aiyuk and Samuel.
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