A 17-year-old California teen has been charged with attempted murder following the shooting of San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall during a botched robbery in San Francisco’s Union Square on Saturday. The suspect, whose identity remains undisclosed due to his age, also faces charges of assault with a semi-automatic firearm and attempted robbery, according to San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins.
The charges, which will be handled in juvenile court, stem from an incident where the teen allegedly tried to steal Pearsall’s Rolex watch, leading to a struggle during which the 23-year-old athlete was shot in the chest. Pearsall managed to fend off the robbery, but one bullet struck him while another hit the suspect. The suspect was apprehended almost immediately as he attempted to flee the scene on foot.
Jenkins explained that under current California law, the district attorney does not have the option to charge the minor as an adult without first seeking a transfer hearing. This process requires a judge to assess whether the juvenile system can adequately rehabilitate the suspect. Jenkins indicated that her office is still reviewing the case to determine whether to pursue such a hearing.
Pearsall, a first-round draft pick who was selected 31st overall by the 49ers in June, was signing autographs earlier in the day before the incident occurred. After being shot, he was rushed to the hospital, where he was listed in “serious but stable condition.” Thankfully, Pearsall’s injuries were not life-threatening, and he was released from the hospital the following day.
Pearsall’s mother, Erin, expressed her gratitude on Facebook, saying, “He is extremely lucky. God shielded him. He was shot in the chest, and it exited out his back. Thanks be to God it missed his vital organs.”
Despite the traumatic experience, Pearsall was reportedly back in the 49ers’ weight room on Monday, just two days after the incident. The 49ers have placed Pearsall on the reserve/non-football injury list, but general manager John Lynch remains optimistic about his return, saying it’s “nothing short of miraculous” that Pearsall is recovering so well. Lynch added that the team expects Pearsall to potentially be back on the field later this season, with an eye on a possible return by their fifth game against the Arizona Cardinals on October 6.
Pearsall, who played college football at Arizona State and Florida, had an impressive senior season with the Gators, recording 965 receiving yards and six touchdowns. His resilience and determination are now being tested off the field as he recovers from this shocking ordeal.