San Francisco 49ers rookie Ricky Pearsall was shot during an attempted robbery in San Francisco on Saturday afternoon, the San Francisco Police Department said.
Pearsall is in “serious but stable condition” after sustaining a bullet wound to his chest, the 49ers said in a statement. Police said a 17-year-old suspect from Tracy, Calif. — about 60 miles east of San Francisco — is in custody.
The incident occurred in the Union Square area of San Francisco. At a news conference Saturday night, SFPD chief William Scott said Pearsall was walking alone when the suspect approached him. A “physical altercation” ensued during the robbery attempt and both Pearsall and the suspect were shot during the struggle, police said.
Scott said more than one shot was fired, but would not confirm how many times each individual was shot. Both Pearsall and the suspect were transported to a local hospital and are in stable condition. The suspect’s gun was recovered at the scene, Scott said.
Scott said there was no indication that Pearsall was targeted because he is an NFL player. He said police believe the suspect was working alone but that they are checking video cameras in Union Square as part of their investigation.
Scott said police have spoken with Pearsall about what happened.
“I can say this: He was talking and that’s a good thing,” Scott said. “Again, he’s stable. So we still need to go back and confirm some things. So there’s more to do on that.”
Scott added that SFPD provided security at General Hospital while Pearsall is being treated. A group of 49ers officials, including general manager John Lynch and medical and security personnel, also drove to San Francisco on Saturday afternoon to attend to Pearsall.
“We have officers here right now,” Scott said. “It’s an active investigation and we want to make sure he has what he needs.”
San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said she expects to make a charging decision by Tuesday or Wednesday. Because the suspect is 17, she said, “at this time, those charges will be filed in the juvenile court.”
“I’m confident our district attorney will take the necessary action to prosecute this case,” San Francisco Mayor London Breed said. “This is how we hold people accountable in San Francisco. Robberies and any violence will not be tolerated in our city.
“Statistics don’t matter when incidents like this occur. What matters is supporting the victim and holding those accountable who break our laws and endanger the lives of others.”
Pearsall, 23, was the No. 31 pick in this year’s NFL Draft. He played three seasons at Arizona State before transferring to Florida for his final two years of college.
After the shooting, Pearsall’s 49ers teammate Deebo Samuel tweeted, “he’s good. Thank god!!!!”
He’s good🤞🏾🙏🏾. Thank god!!!!
— Deebo (@19problemz) September 1, 2024
In 2017, 49ers linebacker Reuben Foster and linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong escaped an armed robbery attempt outside of a San Francisco nightclub around 2 a.m. on the 300 block of Post Street — blocks from where Pearsall was shot — in San Francisco.
— Matt Barrows and David Lombardi contributed reporting.
(Photo: Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images)