In a shocking incident that has sent ripples through the sports community, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was shot in the chest during an attempted robbery in broad daylight on Saturday afternoon.
The shooting, which occurred in San Francisco’s Union Square, has left Ricky Pearsall in serious but stable condition, as confirmed by the 49ers in a statement.
The incident underscores a growing concern for public safety in the city and has left fans and teammates in a state of disbelief.
According to the San Francisco Police Department, the 23-year-old NFL player was walking alone at approximately 3:30 p.m. PT when a 17-year-old suspect attempted to rob him at gunpoint.
An altercation quickly escalated, resulting in multiple shots being fired. Both Pearsall and the suspect sustained injuries during the exchange, with Pearsall being hit in the chest.
San Francisco Police Chief William Scott provided further details during a press conference, revealing that the suspect, a resident of Tracy, California, tried to flee the scene but was swiftly apprehended by law enforcement.
The suspect is currently in custody, and charges will be filed in juvenile court early next week.
“Given that the suspect is a juvenile, the charges will be processed accordingly,” stated San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. “We are diligently reviewing the evidence to determine the next steps in this case.”
Ricky Pearsall, who was immediately provided medical assistance at the scene, was later transported to a hospital where he is expected to recover.
While the motive behind the attempted robbery remains unclear, authorities have stated that there is no evidence to suggest Pearsall was targeted due to his status as a professional football player.
“This appears to be a straightforward case of attempted robbery,” Chief Scott commented, adding that only one firearm was involved in the incident, and it has since been recovered by the police. “Our investigation continues as we gather video footage and other evidence to piece together the full sequence of events.”
The shooting has elicited strong reactions from city officials and the community. San Francisco Mayor London Breed expressed her concern, calling the incident “a terrible and rare occurrence in Union Square,” and emphasized her hopes for Pearsall’s swift recovery.
In the wake of the attack, the 49ers organization released a statement expressing their support for Pearsall and his family.
Pearsall’s teammate, Deebo Samuel, also shared his relief on social media, stating, “He’s good. Thank god!!!!” after hearing about Pearsall’s condition.
Ricky Pearsall, who was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers with the 31st overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, has had a promising career ahead of him.
Before joining the NFL, Pearsall made a name for himself during his collegiate years, playing three seasons at Arizona State and two at the University of Florida, where he concluded his college career with an impressive 965 receiving yards and six touchdowns in his final season.
The attack comes as Pearsall was recovering from a partial shoulder dislocation, an injury from his college days.
He had only recently returned to practice with the 49ers, having missed the preseason games.
The team’s first game of the season is scheduled against the New York Jets on September 9, a match Pearsall was hopeful to participate in.
Chief Scott assured the public that security measures in Union Square would be heightened following the incident, with additional officers being deployed to ensure the safety of residents and visitors.
“We understand that incidents like this can cause anxiety, and we want the public to feel secure knowing that we are here to protect them,” Scott stated.
This tragic event has cast a shadow over what should have been an exciting start to the NFL season for Pearsall and his team, but the collective hope is that he will make a full recovery and return to the field stronger than ever.
