San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was shot in the chest during an attempted robbery in San Francisco on Saturday, authorities and his team said.
In a statement, the 49ers said Pearsall “suffered a gunshot wound to the chest and is in serious but stable condition.”
Mayor London Breed said on social media platform X that the attack took place in the Union Square community downtown.
“San Francisco police immediately responded and the shooter was arrested,” the mayor said, referring to the San Francisco Police Department.
In a statement, San Francisco police said officers responded to a report of a shooting at Geary Street and Grant Avenue in the heart of the Union Square community around 3:37 p.m. and found two people who had been injured after an altercation.
“One of the suspects attempted to rob the victim, Ricky Pearsall, a player for the San Francisco 49ers,” the department said. “During the attempted robbery, a physical altercation ensued and both the suspect and victim were injured. The suspect is in custody and charges are pending.”
The department said Pearsall and the suspected shooter were hospitalized.
San Francisco County Supervisor Aaron Peskin said earlier on X that Pearsall, a 23-year-old rookie drafted by the 49ers in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, had been stabilized at a hospital.
Pearsall’s agent and NFL representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment Saturday night.
“My thoughts are with Ricky and his family at this time,” Breed said.
Likewise, the 49ers said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with Ricky and the entire Pearsall family.”
The high-profile attack comes as crime and homelessness in San Francisco have become hot topics in local politics.
Peskin, the San Francisco County supervisor, is running against Breed for mayor of the city. He has championed tough stances on crime, including arresting drug dealers, while pushing for treatment for users and viewing crime as a societal problem rather than one that only police can solve.
Pearsall has not played this preseason due to hamstring and shoulder injuries.
Cristian Santana And Linda Takahashi contributed.
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