San Francisco 49ers rookie Ricky Pearsall is recovering after he was shot in an attempted robbery in San Francisco’s Union Square.
The San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE that the shooting occurred on Saturday, Aug. 31, at around 3:37 p.m in the area of Geary Street and Grant Avenue. When officers responded to the scene, they “located two male subjects suffering from injuries,” and both men were rendered aid and then transported to San Francisco General Hospital “for further evaluation.”
According to the SFPD’s statement, a preliminary investigation determined that the suspect attempted to rob the victim, identified as 23-year-old Pearsall.
“During the attempted robbery, a physical altercation ensued, and both the suspect and victim were injured,” the statement said. “The suspect is in custody and charges are pending at this time.”
The SFPD added that “the investigation is ongoing and active” and that more information would be provided as it becomes available.
Late on Saturday, the 49ers said in a statement on X (formerly Twitter) that Persall “sustained a bullet wound to the chest and is in serious but stable condition.”
“We ask that you please respect his privacy at this time,” the team added. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Ricky and the entire Pearsall family.”
FOX40 reported that the athlete had been headed to a signing event when the incident occurred.
San Francisco Mayor London Breed also confirmed the news of the shooting on X.
“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 Saturday. “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 provide more updates, including on his condition, as I receive them.”
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Pearsall’s teammate and fellow wide receiver Deebo Samuel shared a brief update on X, writing that Pearsall is recovering.
“He’s good🤞🏾🙏🏾. Thank god!!!!” Samuel wrote.
Pearsall was a first-round pick for the 49ers earlier this year, and was the 31st overall pick in the NFL draft. He previously played for the Arizona State Sun Devils before transferring to the University of Florida for the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
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The wide receiver did not play in any preseason games during his first pro season due to a shoulder injury, NBC reported. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan told the outlet at the team’s game last week against the Las Vegas Raiders that Pearsall suffered a shoulder subluxation, in which a part of the shoulder pops in and out of its socket.
“He did it in college, I think, his junior year,” Shanahan said of Pearsall’s repeat injury, which happened on Aug. 6, according to the outlet. “It makes it tender, so you want to give him time to come back from it. It’s probably happened to 80% of the guys on our team at some time. It’s just a pretty normal thing.”
The 49ers will kick off their season on Monday, Sept. 9, at Levi’s Stadium when they face off against the New York Jets.
