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San Francisco 49ers player Ricky Pearsall shot in chest during attempted robbery, 17-year-old suspect arrested, police say

San Francisco 49ers player Ricky Pearsall shot in chest during attempted robbery, 17-year-old suspect arrested, police say

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was shot in the chest during an attempted robbery in San Francisco on Saturday afternoon, the NFL team said in a statement.

Pearsall “is in serious but stable condition,” the 49ers confirmed.

A 17-year-old boy attempted to rob Pearsall at gunpoint while he was walking alone. It happened around 3:30 p.m. PT, when an altercation between the two ensued, leaving both of them injured, San Francisco police said.

“Gunfire from the suspect’s handgun struck both Mr. Pearsall and the suspect,” San Francisco Police Chief William Scott said at a news conference Saturday, adding that multiple shots were fired.

The suspect, a resident of Tracy, California, was arrested by police after he attempted to “run away,” Scott said.

Charges against the suspect will be filed in juvenile court, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said at the news conference. A decision on charges will be made no later than Tuesday or Wednesday, Jenkins said.

“Since the suspect is currently a minor, these charges will be filed in juvenile court while we continue to review the evidence to determine what to do next,” Jenkins said.

Officers rendered aid to Pearsall and the suspect and took them to a hospital for treatment, the news release said.

Police have not yet released a motive for the shooting, but there is no indication that Pearsall was targeted because he is a football player, Scott said.

Scott said the department is confident “this was an attempted robbery, and we’re pretty confident of that.”

The chief said it appears the suspect acted alone. Only one gun was involved in the shooting and it has been recovered, Scott said.

It’s unclear how many times Pearsall was shot or what the suspect was trying to steal. Police are collecting video footage as they continue their investigation. Pearsall was stable enough to speak to police, but Scott said, “We still have to go back and confirm some things.”

Pearsall carries the ball during the NFL football team's rookie mini camp in Santa Clara, California, on May 10, 2024. - Jeff Chiu/APPearsall carries the ball during the NFL football team's rookie mini camp in Santa Clara, California, on May 10, 2024. - Jeff Chiu/AP

Pearsall carries the ball during the NFL football team’s rookie mini camp in Santa Clara, California, on May 10, 2024. – Jeff Chiu/AP

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Ricky and the entire Pearsall family,” the team said Saturday night.

San Francisco Mayor London Breed called the attempted robbery at the press conference “a horrific and rare incident in Union Square.”

“I’m looking forward to seeing him recover and get back on the field,” she said.

Scott said earlier he was “extremely shocked and saddened” by the shooting.

“This type of violence has no place in our city and will never be tolerated. My condolences go out to Mr. Pearsall and his family and I wish him a speedy recovery,” he said in a message on X“Thankfully, our hardworking officers made a quick arrest in this case and we will do everything we can to ensure justice is done.”

The rookie wide receiver was drafted by the 49ers earlier this year with the 31st pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Before being drafted, the 23-year-old played three years at Arizona State and two at Florida during his college career. He completed his final college season and collected 965 receiving yards and six touchdowns in his final season at Florida.

Police officers secure the area and investigate the scene of a shooting in Union Square in San Francisco on Saturday. - Santiago Mejia/San Francisco Chronicle/Getty ImagesPolice officers secure the area and investigate the scene of a shooting in Union Square in San Francisco on Saturday. - Santiago Mejia/San Francisco Chronicle/Getty Images

Police officers secure the area and investigate the scene of a shooting in Union Square in San Francisco on Saturday. – Santiago Mejia/San Francisco Chronicle/Getty Images

Pearsall’s teammate, Deebo Samuel, took to social media after the incident. “He’s fine,” he said on X. “Thank God!!!!”

Pearsall was recovering from a partial dislocation of his shoulder, an injury that stemmed from his time in college, the NFL said. He practiced with the team for a week before being sidelined and sitting out of the 49ers’ three preseason games. The rookie wide receiver returned to practice last week.

The 49ers play their first game of the season on September 9 against the New York Jets.

“We’ve had extra officers in Union Square for a while now, and we’ll continue to do that,” Scott said Saturday night. “People usually get scared when things like this happen, and we want to make sure the public knows we’re here for them. So we’re going to be ramping that up.”

This story has been updated with additional information.

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