San Francisco 49ers rookie Ricky Pearsall was released from the hospital on Sunday after being shot during an attempted robbery in broad daylight at Union Square, San Francisco. Pearsall, 23, sustained a bullet wound to his chest in the incident, but is “extremely lucky” to be alive, according to his mother and the 49ers, who shared the news on social media.
On Monday, the NFL placed Pearsall on the reserve/non-football injury list, which means he will miss at least four games this season, as reported by ESPN.
The 49ers confirmed Pearsall’s injury in a statement, noting that he was discharged from Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital on Sunday afternoon as he continues to recover.
In a statement posted on X, the team expressed gratitude on behalf of Pearsall, his family, and the entire 49ers organization to the San Francisco Police Department, emergency medical services, and the medical staff at San Francisco General Hospital.
Pearsall’s mother, Erin Pearsall, also took to Facebook on Sunday, thanking God for protecting her son. “He is extremely lucky. God shielded him,” she wrote, explaining that the bullet passed through his chest and exited out his back, miraculously missing his vital organs.
The San Francisco Police Department responded to the shooting around 4 p.m. on Saturday, finding two men with injuries. According to police, a physical altercation occurred during the attempted robbery, resulting in both the suspect and Pearsall being injured.
Preliminary reports suggest that Pearsall was targeted for the Rolex watch he was wearing at the time. Police clarified that the robbery was random and not related to his status as a football player.
The suspect, a 17-year-old from Tracy, California, is currently in custody with charges pending. San Francisco Police Chief William Scott stated that the investigation is ongoing, with no indications of accomplices at this time, though this may change as video evidence is reviewed.
District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced that a charging decision is expected by mid-next week, with any charges to be filed in juvenile court due to the suspect’s age.
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San Francisco Mayor London Breed called the incident “terrible and rare.”
Pearsall, a first-round draft pick, had recently returned to practice after dealing with a shoulder injury during the preseason, according to the NFL.
Erin Pearsall ended her Facebook post by expressing her relief and urging others to cherish life. “Life is so precious, my friends. Please love each other. My son was spared today by the grace of God. Please pray for my baby.”
