San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was shot in the chest during an attempted robbery in San Francisco on Saturday and was released from the hospital Sunday afternoon, authorities and the team announced.
“San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall continues to recover from a gunshot wound to the chest and was released from the hospital this afternoon,” the 49ers announced in an update Sunday afternoon.
The 49ers said in a statement Saturday that Pearsall “was shot in the chest and is in serious but stable condition.” Police said at an evening news conference that Pearsall remained speaking after the shooting.
Mayor London Breed said on Tuesday the attack happened in the Union Square area in the heart of downtown. Police identified the suspect only as a 17-year-old boy.
“The San Francisco Police Department quickly responded to the scene and apprehended the shooter,” Breed said, referring to the San Francisco Police Department. Pearsall’s mother, Erin Pearsall, said in a private Facebook post obtained by NBC News that her son “is doing well at this time.”
“My son was very lucky. God protected him,” she said of her son. “He was shot in the chest but the bullet exited through his back. Thank God it spared his vital organs.”
“Life is so precious my friends. Please love each other,” Erin Piersall continued. “My son was saved today by the grace of God. Please pray for my baby.”
Pearsall’s agent and NFL representatives did not immediately respond to requests for information Saturday night.
Police said in a statement that officers responded to a report of a shooting at about 3:37 p.m. on the area of Geary and Grant streets in the heart of Union Square and found two people injured after an altercation.
Police Chief Bill Scott said at a news conference that the suspect approached Pearsall, 23, a rookie player selected by the 49ers in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, and attempted to commit an armed robbery. “A struggle ensued, and bullets were fired from the suspect’s firearm, striking both Pearsall and the suspect,” Scott said.
At least two shots were fired, he said.
Scott said the suspect is a 17-year-old boy from Tracy, a rural town just over 60 miles east of San Francisco.
Both Pearsall and the boy were hospitalized, Scott said. San Francisco County Supervisor Aaron Peskin earlier told X that Pearsall was in stable condition in the hospital.
Scott said officers found the fleeing suspect at the scene and also recovered the gun he allegedly used.
District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said the boy will be prosecuted in juvenile court.
“This was a horrific and unusual incident that occurred in Union Square. Our hearts go out to Ricky Pearsall and his family. He has a bright future ahead of him and we look forward to seeing him recover and return to the field,” Breed said at a news conference.
Similarly, the 49ers said their “thoughts and prayers are with Ricky and the entire Peirsol family.”
Crime and homelessness in San Francisco have become top issues in local politics.
County Supervisor Peskin is challenging Breed for mayor and supports a tough-on-crime approach, including arresting drug dealers, but also promotes treatment of drug users and sees crime as a society-wide problem, not one that can be solved by police alone.
Mayor Breed said Saturday’s violence “will not be tolerated.” Mayor Scott said additional police presence has been in place in Union Square for some time.
Pearsall has not played in this preseason due to hamstring and shoulder injuries.