A minor has been charged with attempted murder in the shooting of San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, the San Francisco district attorney said Tuesday.
The 17-year-old boy was charged in juvenile court with attempted murder, assault with a semi-automatic firearm and second-degree attempted robbery, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said.
Prosecutors could ask a judge to conduct a hearing regarding the teen’s fitness to be rehabilitated in the juvenile system, which could result in the case being transferred to adult court, Jenkins said.
“Going forward, my office will review the case more closely to determine whether or not we will seek that fitness hearing,” the DA said.
Pearsall was shot in the chest in San Francisco’s Union Square neighborhood on Saturday in what authorities have described as an attempted robbery.
He was speaking after being shot and is recovering, police and the team have said. He was released from a hospital on Sunday, the team said in an update on X.
Pearsall, 23, was drafted by the 49ers in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft.
Police Chief Bill Scott said the armed suspect approached Pearsall to rob him and that there was a struggle that resulted in the gun being fired, wounding both Pearsall and the suspect. At least two rounds were fired, he said.
The attempted murder charge was filed with two allegations — personal discharge of a firearm and personal and intentional discharge of a firearm — which allow for a longer sentence if the suspect is convicted.
The teen, who has not been identified by officials due to his age, is expected to be arraigned Wednesday afternoon, Jenkins said. It wasn’t immediately clear if he had an attorney Tuesday night.
Pearsall is doing well, 49ers general manager John Lynch told reporters Tuesday. Pearsall recommended that a previously scheduled team party take place the day he was shot, and he spoke in a video chat with teammates there, Lynch said.
“By the grace of God, Ricky Pearsall’s here with the team and doing really well,” Lynch said.
Lynch said he spoke with Pearsall Tuesday morning and that he is in good spirits.
“He just wants to express, and the team wants to express, our gratitude to a variety of people: Number one, the San Francisco Police Department. They were incredible in their response, they were incredible at the hospital,” Lynch said.
Lynch also thanked the hospital staff and members of the 49ers team staff, and said he expects Pearsall to be able to return to football this season.
“This really makes you stop and reflect about how precious life is,” Lynch said.
