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.
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.
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 teen, who was arraigned Wednesday, was shot through his left arm, Deputy Public Defender Bob Dunlap said while speaking to reporters after the hearing. He said his client was remorseful.
“He’s genuinely very sorry that this did happen, as is his family. And I can say on their behalf, as well as on my own behalf, our thoughts go out to the Pearsall family and Mr. Pearsall himself," Dunlap said. "So there is genuine, genuine remorse."
Dunlap said his client did not know Pearsall is a professional football player.
The teen is a high school senior who was close to graduating, Dunlap said, adding that he was not prepared to discuss a motive in the shooting. Dunlap also said his client has loving parents who said the shooting was "out of character" for him.
The teenager, Dunlap acknowledged, has another criminal matter in San Joaquin County, where he is from, but the lawyer said he was not familiar with that case.
Dunlap said he hopes his client's case remains in juvenile court and that Pearsall's high-profile status, and all the media coverage it brings, does not affect the trajectory of the case.
A probation officer recommended the teen stay in custody near his home in San Joaquin County, but a judge determined the suspect will stay in custody in San Francisco, NBC Bay Area reported. Family members of both the teen and Pearsall were in court Wednesday, the news outlet reported.
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.
