SAN FRANCISCO—A juvenile suspect is in custody after allegedly shooting San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall in the chest Saturday afternoon during an attempted robbery in central San Francisco, officials said.
Pearsall, 23, was released Sunday from San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, according to a team statement. He had been listed in fair condition.
Pearsall was walking alone carrying shopping bags to his car shortly after 3:30 p.m. Saturday when a suspect attempted to rob him with a gun on Geary Boulevard in the Union Square area, officials said.
“A struggle between Mr. Pearsall and the suspect ensued and gunfire from the suspect’s gun struck both Mr. Pearsall and the subject,” San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott said during a news briefing.
Officers in the area responded immediately and provided emergency medical aid and arrested the suspect.
Police identified the suspect as a 17-year-old male resident of Tracy, Calif., about 60 miles east of San Francisco, who also was transported to San Francisco General. His condition was not immediately disclosed.
Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots. A gun allegedly belonging to the suspect was recovered and investigators believe he acted alone, Scott said.
“This kind of violence is simply unacceptable in our city, and we will do everything in our power to work with District Attorney Brooke Jenkins to ensure that justice is served in this matter,” Scott said.
Jenkins told reporters at the briefing that her office expects to make a charging decision by Tuesday or Wednesday, and initially will file any charges in the juvenile-court system.
Scott said there was no indication Pearsall was targeted because he is a 49ers player.
“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,” Sunday’s team statement said.
Mayor London Breed said she was confident in the district attorney’s actions to prosecute 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, offering her gratitude to 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.
The 49ers selected Pearsall with the 31st overall pick in the first round of April’s NFL draft. He has been slowed by injuries since joining the team.
He missed time during training camp due to hamstring and shoulder issues before returning to practice this past week with a non-contact blue jersey while his shoulder heals.
Pearsall began his college career at Arizona State and transferred to Florida for his final two seasons. He had 65 catches for 965 yards and four touchdowns for the Gators last season and finished his college career with 159 catches for 2,420 yards and 14 touchdowns.
The Niners have hoped Pearsall could contribute as a rookie backup to starters Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk.
