Ricky Pearsall, a rookie wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers, was released from the hospital and is healing after being shot and critically injured during an attempted robbery, his team announced Sunday. The 49ers stated that he was healing from a chest wound caused by a bullet.
“He and his family, together with the whole San Francisco 49ers organization, are grateful for the San Francisco Police Department, emergency medical services, doctors, and staff at San Francisco General Hospital,” according to the team’s statement. In a news briefing Saturday night, San Francisco Police Chief William Scott said Pearsall was strolling about a block from Union Square at roughly 3:30 p.m. local time when the armed suspect approached and attempted to rob him, resulting in the violent altercation. The fight between Mr. Pearsall and the suspect ensued, and gunfire from the suspect’s gun struck both Mr. Pearsall and the subject,” Mr. Scott said.
The offender attempted to flee the scene but was apprehended by responding cops, Scott said. Authorities announced the arrest of a 17-year-old male suspect. Pearsall and the suspect, whose name was not released because he is a minor, were transported to San Francisco General Hospital. Tracy, in northern California, is where the suspect is from. San Francisco Mayor London Breed also stated that Pearsall was in stable health, with Scott adding that Pearsall was “talking, and that’s a good thing.” Scott also said that the suspect was in stable condition in the hospital.
The police chief stated that two shots were discharged from the suspect’s gun during the altercation. The weapon was found at the site. Scott noted that there was “no indication” that Pearsall “was targeted because he was a football player.” At this moment, investigators believe the suspect acted alone.
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, video footage captured by a witness shows Pearsall being put into an ambulance while shirtless and with a colossal chest wound. Brooke Jenkins, the San Francisco District Attorney, said she expects criminal charges to be brought by Wednesday. The suspect will be charged in juvenile court “as we continue to review the evidence to figure out where to go from there,” according to Jenkins. “This was a terrible and unusual incident in Union Square,” Breed explained.
Breed and Scott stated that there are currently extra cops in Union Square and that following this incident, they will boost the number even more. Breed highlighted that she did not want anyone to come to San Francisco and conduct these types of atrocities.
She claims Jenkins will vigorously prosecute this and similar cases. “This is how we hold people accountable in San Francisco,” Breed joked. “Robberies and any violence like this will not be tolerated in our city.” CBS News has contacted Pearsall’s representatives for comment.
