San Francisco 49ers rookie receiver Ricky Pearsall shot in Union Square robbery attempt
49ers rookie first-round draft pick Ricky Pearsall was shot in the chest during an attempted robbery Saturday in San Francisco’s Union Square.
The 23-year-old wide receiver was listed in serious but stable condition following the shooting.
In a news conference Saturday evening, San Francisco Chief of Police William Scott said the suspect who allegedly attempted to rob Pearsall is a 17-year-old male from Tracy. Scott said both were injured by the suspect’s gun, and that multiple shots were fired, but would not provide further detail, saying the investigation was ongoing. Scott said the gun was recovered, and the suspect was arrested.
San Francisco Mayor London Breed confirmed Pearsall had been shot and police had arrested the suspected shooter after initial reports surfaced on social media.
“This afternoon, there was an attempted robbery in Union Square involving San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall and he was shot,” Breed tweeted. “SFPD was on scene immediately and an arrest of the shooter was made. My thoughts are with Ricky and his family at this time. We will provide more updates, including on his condition, as I receive them.”
Breed and the San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins also spoke at the Saturday evening news conference.
“This was a terrible and rare incident in Union Square,” Breed said. “But 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.”
Jenkins said her office expects to make a charging decision by the middle of the week.
“This is a setback, because a lot of that hard work and the data, you know, goes out the window sometimes when something happens like this,” Jenkins said. “And my hope is that we can demonstrate that this is an isolated incident, one where our officers acted swiftly, and the things that we put into place and how they were designed led to an arrest and will lead to accountability.”
Jenkins said charges will be filed in the juvenile court system because the suspect is not an adult.
“There will be accountability for those who commit these types of acts in San Francisco,” Jenkins said. “We are not a city that will be tolerant of these of this type of conduct.”
Pearsall starred at Corona del Sol High School in Tempe, Arizona. Coming out of high school, he committed to Arizona State, choosing the Sun Devils over offers from Air Force, Hawaii, Idaho, New Mexico State, Northern Arizona and UC Davis.
Pearsall spent three seasons at Arizona State before transferring to Florida. As a senior in 2023, he made 65 catches for 965 yards and four touchdowns. The 49ers selected him with the 31st overall pick in April’s NFL draft.
Pearsall missed most of training camp and all three preseason games due to hamstring and shoulder injuries. He recently returned to practice in a non-contact jersey as the 49ers prepare for their Sept. 9 season opener against the New York Jets. It remains to be seen how long Pearsall will be sidelined as a result of the shooting.
According to the San Francisco Police Department, the shooting occurred shortly after 3:30 p.m. Saturday near Geary Street and Grant Avenue. Officers arrived to find Pearsall and another man suffering from injuries. Both were shot during an apparent struggle over the gun. Officers rendered aid and medics transported both men to an area hospital.
“During the preliminary investigation, officers learned one of the subjects attempted to rob the victim, San Francisco 49ers player Ricky Pearsall,” police said in a statement. “During the attempted robbery, a physical altercation ensued, and both the suspect and victim were injured. The suspect is in custody and charges are pending at this time.”
Captain Justin Schorr, spokesperson for the San Francisco Fire Department, confirmed that his department transported two patients to the hospital Saturday afternoon for suspected gunshot wounds, but could not speak to the identities or any other information about the patients.
Schorr said the first 911 call reporting shots fired at Geary and Grants streets was at 3:38 pm, a block away from Union Square. KTVU, citing multiple sources, reported Pearsall’s Rolex watch was targeted in the attempted robbery.
“Two people were hurt, we took good care of them, and they’re at the hospital,” said Schorr, noting that one victim was in critical condition and one in stable condition at San Francisco General Hospital.
Video later surfaced showing Pearsall being helped to an ambulance while medics applied pressure to his chest and back.
The 49ers issued a statement confirming Pearsall was shot in the chest.
“He sustained a bullet wound to his chest and is in serious but stable condition,” the team said. “We ask that you please respect his privacy at this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with Ricky and the entire Pearsall family.”
Pearsall’s mother, Erin, said on social media the bullet entered her son’s chest and exited his back without hitting any vital organs. The 49ers provided an update Sunday, saying Pearsall had been released from the hospital.
Fellow 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel expressed relief on social media after Pearsall survived the shooting, tweeting “He’s good ... Thank God!!!!”
This story was originally published August 31, 2024 at 6:30 PM.
