Teenager charged with attempted murder in shooting of San Francisco 49ers star

A 17-year-old boy has been charged with attempted murder in connection with the shooting of San Francisco 49ers forward Ricky Pearsall, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced Tuesday.

The unnamed minor was arrested after the wide receiver was shot during an attempted robbery in the city’s Union Square on Saturday afternoon, police said. The teen also faces assault with a semi-automatic firearm and second-degree robbery, Jenkins said.

San Francisco police said the shooting occurred around 3:30 p.m. Saturday when Pearsall, 23, was approached by a suspect who attempted to rob him at gunpoint, leading to a physical altercation. “A struggle ensued between Mr. Pearsall and the suspect, and shots from the suspect’s weapon struck both Mr. Pearsall and the offender,” said San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott.

The injured teenager was caught as he tried to flee the scene, police said.

Pearsall, who was drafted by the Niners in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, was released from the hospital on Sunday, the team said. His mother, Erin Pearsall, posted on social media that he was shot in the chest and the bullet exited his back, according to ESPN.

49ers general manager John Lynch said Tuesday that Perarsall did not require surgery and that it was “truly a miracle” that he was not more seriously injured. The athlete was placed on the reserve/non-football injured list and will miss at least four games.

“He’s doing remarkably well,” Lynch said. “This is new territory. You don’t see something like this every day.”