Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was shot in San Francisco’s Union Square on Saturday.
According to the San Francisco Police Department (h/t KTXL’s Sean Cunningham), Pearsall “was shot through the chest in a robbery attempt over a Rolex. He was headed to a signing event on Geary & Market. There was a struggle for the gun. Both Ricky & the suspect were shot. Both parties stable at SF General Hospital.”
The San Francisco Police Department’s official statement can be found below:
Evan Sernoffsky @EvanSernoffsky
Our statement on the tragic shooting today of @49ers WR Ricky Pearsall. This kind of violence is unacceptable in our city. pic.twitter.com/nXT8CMfNV8
The 49ers also released a statement saying Pearsall “sustained a bullet wound to his chest and is in serious but stable condition.”
San Francisco 49ers @49ers
Additionally, the San Francisco Chief of Police and Mayor London Breed released statements on the matter:
SFPD Chief Scott @SFPDChief
(2/2) Thankfully, our hard-working officers made a swift arrest in this case and we will do everything within our power to ensure justice is served.
London Breed @LondonBreed
This afternoon, there was an attempted robbery in Union Square involving San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall and he was shot.
SFPD was on scene immediately and an arrest of the shooter was made.
My thoughts are with Ricky and his family at this time.
We will…
Zak Sos of KTVU shared a witness video of Pearsall walking to an ambulance after he was shot:
Zak Sos @ZakSNews
Video of 49ers draft pick Ricky Pearsall walking to ambulance after police say he was shot near Union Square. Video from witness. @KTVU pic.twitter.com/luhulILUQ7
The 49ers selected Pearsall with the 31st pick in the 2024 NFL draft. He spent two seasons at Arizona State before transferring to Florida for his final two years. In 2023, he had 965 receiving yards and four touchdowns, also picking up 62 rushing yards and two touchdowns on three carries.
Pearsall showed promise as a route runner with soft hands, which led to the 49ers taking him earlier than many projected.
He’s dealt with a handful of injuries over the offseason, spending time on the reserve/non-football injury list with a hamstring injury and more recently dealing with a shoulder injury after being activated.
The 49ers open the 2024 season on September 9 against the New York Jets.
