San Francisco 49ers huge receiver Ricky Pearsall was shot within the chest throughout an tried theft in San Francisco on Saturday, authorities and his crew mentioned.
In an announcement, the 49ers mentioned Pearsall “sustained a bullet wound to his chest and is in severe however steady situation.” Police mentioned in a night information convention that Pearsall was speaking after being struck.
Mayor London Breed mentioned on social media platform X that the assault befell within the Union Sq. neighborhood within the heart of downtown. Police recognized the suspect solely as a 17-year-old boy.
“SFPD was on scene instantly and an arrest of the shooter was made,” the mayor mentioned, referring to the San Francisco Police Division.
Pearsall’s agent and representatives for the NFL didn’t instantly reply to requests for data Saturday evening.
In an announcement, San Francisco police mentioned officers responded to a report of a taking pictures at Geary Avenue and Grant Avenue within the coronary heart of the Union Sq. neighborhood about 3:37 p.m. and located two individuals who had been injured after an altercation.
Police Chief Invoice Scott mentioned on the information convention that the suspect approached Pearsall — a 23-year-old rookie drafted by the 49ers within the first spherical of the 2024 NFL draft — and tried to commit an armed theft. “A battle ensues and gunfire from the suspect’s gun struck Mr. Pearsall and the suspect,” Scott mentioned.
At the very least two rounds had been fired, he mentioned.
Scott mentioned the suspect is a 17-year-old boy from the farming city of Tracy, just a little greater than 60 miles east of San Francisco.
Each Pearsall and the teenager had been hospitalized, the chief mentioned. San Francisco County Supervisor Aaron Peskin mentioned earlier on X that Pearsall had been stabilized at a hospital.
The suspect was discovered by responding officers already within the space as he fled, and the gun he allegedly used was recovered, Scott mentioned.
District Legal professional Brooke Jenkins mentioned the teenager could be charged in juvenile court docket.
“This was a horrible and uncommon incident in Union Sq., and our ideas are with Ricky Pearsall and his household,” Breed mentioned through the information convention. “He has a shiny future and I sit up for seeing him get well and get again on the sphere.”
Likewise, the 49ers mentioned, “Our ideas and prayers are with Ricky and your entire Pearsall household.”
The high-profile assault got here as crime and homelessness in San Francisco have change into paramount matters in native politics.
Peskin, the San Francisco County supervisor, is difficult Breed for the mayorship of town. He has supported tough-on-crime stances, together with arresting drug sellers, whereas additionally pushing for remedy of customers and seeing crime as a society-wide concern slightly than as an issue solely police can remedy.
Breed mentioned violence like Saturday’s “won’t be tolerated.” Scott mentioned further police have been assigned to Union Sq. for a while.
Pearsall has not performed this preseason on account of hamstring and shoulder accidents.