Recovering from a gunshot wound he suffered in a robbery attempt, San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver was released from the hospital on Sunday, the team announced.
Both Pearsall and the 17-year-old suspect were injured in a struggle following the attempted robbery Saturday afternoon in the city’s Union Square area. Both were transported to a Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, according to San Francisco Police.
A decision on charges for the suspect – which would be filed in juvenile court – is expected to come Tuesday or Wednesday, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins told reporters on Saturday night. San Francisco Police chief William Scott said there was no reason to believe Pearsall was targeted because he is a professional football player.
Here’s what we know at the moment about the incident:
Ricky Pearsall released from hospital
Before Pearsall was released Sunday, hospital officials upgraded his condition to fair, according to NBC Sports Bay Area reporter Matt Maiocco.
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A statement Saturday night from Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital described Pearsall as being in serious but stable condition when he was admitted.
Who is Ricky Pearsall?
Pearsall is a wide receiver the San Francisco 49ers drafted with the 31st overall pick in the NFL draft this past April. At the University of Florida last season, he caught 65 passes for 965 yards and four touchdowns. In 2022, he transferred to Florida from Arizona State, where he played from 2019-21.
Pearsall, 23, was the sixth of seven wide receivers taken in the first round of this year’s draft.
What do we know about Ricky Pearsall’s injuries?
San Francisco Police believe the suspect attempted to rob Pearsall, and both were injured when a gun the suspect was carrying went off during a physical altercation on Saturday afternoon.
Video from an eyewitness shared by reporter Zak Sos of Bay Area television station KTVU showed Pearsall walking, mostly under his own power, to get in an ambulance after receiving initial treatment for his injuries.
The 49ers released a statement Saturday evening confirming that Pearsall sustained a bullet wound to his chest.
What has Ricky Pearsall’s family said?
Reporter Kevin Brockway of the Gainesville Sun, part of the USA TODAY Network, on Sunday morning shared on X what appears to be a post from the Facebook account of Pearsall’s mother, Erin Pearsall, that provided an update to her family and friends.
‘First and (foremost) I want to thank GOD for protecting my baby boy,’ she wrote. ‘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 … My son was spared today by the grace of GOD.’
What do we know about the suspect in the Ricky Pearsall shooting?
San Francisco Police did not identify the suspect, saying only that he was a 17-year-old from Tracy, California – which is approximately 60 miles east of San Francisco.
Police say he attempted to run away after the shooting, but was caught and arrested shortly after authorities arrived.
San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said at a news conference Saturday evening that a decision on charges will be made next week.
