Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, the 49ers’ first-round draft pick last spring, is in serious but stable condition after he was shot in the chest during a robbery near San Francisco’s Union Square on Saturday afternoon, the 49ers confirmed.
Pearsall walked to an ambulance under his own power while applying pressure to his chest with some sort of bandage, as seen in an X/Twitter posted by KTVU’s Zak Sos.
‘He’s good. Thank God!!!!” 49ers teammate Deebo Samuel posted to X/Twitter about Pearsall, with emojis reflecting a prayer and crossed fingers.
“During the attempted robbery, a physical altercation occurred, resulting in injuries to both the suspect and the victim.” This is evident from a statement from the San Francisco policewhich noted that the suspect is in custody and charges are pending.
Capt. Justin Schorr, spokesman for the San Francisco Fire Department, confirmed that his department had transported two patients to the hospital Saturday afternoon for suspected gunshot wounds, but could not comment on the identities or other information about the patients. Schorr said the first reported 911 call was fired at Geary and Grants streets at 3:38 p.m., a block from Union Square.
“Two people were injured, we took good care of them and they are in the hospital,” Schorr said, noting that one victim is in critical condition and one is in stable condition at San Francisco General.
Pearsall’s Rolex watch was the target of the attempted robbery, KTVU’s Sal Castaneda reported, citing multiple sources.
The 49ers asked the public to respect Pearsall’s privacy, adding: “Our thoughts and prayers are with Ricky and the entire Pearsall family.”
“I am extremely shocked and saddened to learn of the shooting of 49ers player Ricky Pearsall today in Union Square,” San Francisco Police Chief William Scott said in a statement. “This kind of violence has no place in our city and will never be tolerated. My heart goes out to Mr Pearsall and his family and I wish him a speedy recovery.”
Earlier Saturday, Pearsall signed autographs during a card show at Cow Palace in San Francisco.
So far this year in San Francisco, the police reports 1,400 robberiesa decrease of 21% compared to the same period last year. Police said the investigation into Saturday’s shooting is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the tip line (1-415-575-4444) or text TIP411.
Pearsall, 23, is from Phoenix, Arizona and is entering his first NFL season after playing collegiately at Florida the past two seasons and Arizona State the past three years.
A shoulder injury has kept Pearsall from practicing the past 3 1/2 weeks after an offseason hamstring injury delayed his participation in training camp by a week. His left shoulder has a history of partial dislocations dating back to his freshman year of college, and he aggravated it both during spring training and on August 6.
He has been going through conditioning drills as the 49ers prepare for their regular season opener on September 9 against the New York Jets at Levi’s Stadium.
While Pearsall’s playing options are uncertain, he figured he would play a backup role in his rookie year on a wide receiver unit led by Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, the latter of whom signed a contract extension on Friday after months of negotiations.
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