Ricky Pearsall, the San Francisco 49ers’ rookie wide receiver and first-round draft pick, was shot during an attempted robbery in the city’s Union Square on Saturday afternoon.
Pearsall was stable, according to Supervisor Aaron Peskin’s office, which has been in communication with the San Francisco Police Department, and a suspect has been taken into custody. Peskin represents Union Square, a downtown district known for its high-end shopping, hotels and restaurants.
Mayor London Breed’s office said she was en route to San Francisco General Hospital, where Pearsall was taken for treatment.
“This afternoon, there was an attempted robbery in Union Square involving San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall and he was shot,” Breed wrote on social media. “SFPD was on scene immediately and an arrest of the shooter was made. My thoughts are with Ricky and his family at this time.”
San Francisco police officials issued a statement saying officers responded to a shooting at approximately 3:37 p.m. near the intersection of Geary Street and Grant Avenue, close to boutique shops such as Dolce & Gabbana and Saint Laurent.
“Upon arrival, officers located two male subjects suffering from injuries. Officers rendered aid and medics transported both subjects to a local hospital for further medical evaluation,” the statement said. “The suspect is in custody, and charges are pending at this time.”
Peskin said police told him the suspect tried to rob Pearsall of his Rolex watch, and that “Ricky wasn’t having any of it.”
A struggle ensued, Peskin said, and both Pearsall and the suspect “managed to get shot.”
Peskin said he was assured that Pearsall “does not have any life-threatening injuries.” He was shot in the chest, but the bullet did not hit any major organs.
The suspect was shot in the wrist, Peskin said.
Pearsall played for Arizona State and the University of Florida in college. The 49ers drafted him in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft. He was sidelined with a shoulder injury during much of the NFL preseason.
The 49ers are scheduled to open their season against the New York Jets on Sept. 9.
“He’s good,” 49ers teammate Deebo Samuel wrote on social media after the shooting. “Thank god!!!!”
This is a developing story.
