49ers player Ricky Pearsall in stable after shooting in San Francisco

Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, a first-round pick by the 49ers last spring, is in serious but stable condition after being shot within the chest during a robbery near San Francisco's Union Square on Saturday afternoon, the 49ers confirmed.

Pearsall walked to an ambulance under his own power while applying pressure to his chest with some form of bandage, as seen within the photo. an X/Twitter post by Zak Sos of KTVU.

“He’s fine. Thank God!!!!” 49ers teammate Deebo Samuel posted on X/Twitter about Pearsall, adding emojis reflecting a prayer and crossed fingers.

“During the attempted robbery, a physical altercation occurred in which both the perpetrator and the victim were injured,” According to a press release from the San Francisco Police Departmentindicating that the suspect was in custody and facing charges.

San Francisco police investigate the scene where 49ers first-round draft pick Ricky Pearsall was shot and killed in the first block of Geary Street near Union Square in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco police investigate the scene where 49ers first-round draft pick Ricky Pearsall was shot and killed in the primary block of Geary Street near Union Square in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)

Captain Justin Schorr, spokesman for the San Francisco Fire Department, confirmed that his department transported two patients to the hospital with suspected gunshot wounds Saturday afternoon, but couldn’t provide identities or other information in regards to the patients. Schorr said the primary 911 call reporting gunshots at Geary and Grants streets got here at 3:38 p.m., one block from Union Square.

“Two people were injured, we took good care of them and they are in the hospital,” Schorr said, noting that one victim is in critical condition and one is in stable condition at San Francisco General.

The goal of the attempted robbery was Pearsall's Rolex watch, KTVU's Sal Castaneda reported, citing multiple sources.

The 49ers asked the general public to respect Pearsall's privacy, adding: “Our thoughts and prayers are with Ricky and the entire Pearsall family.”

Ricky Pearsall, the San Francisco 49ers' first-round draft pick, is introduced Friday, April 26, 2024, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
Ricky Pearsall, the San Francisco 49ers' first-round draft pick, is introduced Friday, April 26, 2024, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)

“I am deeply shocked and saddened by the shooting of 49ers player Ricky Pearsall today in Union Square,” San Francisco Police Chief William Scott said in a press release. “This type of violence has no place in our city and will never be tolerated. My condolences go out to Mr. Pearsall and his family and I wish him a speedy recovery.”

Early Saturday, Pearsall signed autographs at a card show on the Cow Palace in San Francisco.

So far this 12 months, the police in San Francisco have reports 1,400 robberiesa 21% decrease from the identical period last 12 months. Police said their investigation into Saturday's shooting is ongoing and that anyone with information is asked to call the tip line (1-415-575-4444) or text message TIP411.

Pearsall, 23, is from Phoenix, Arizona, and is entering his first NFL season after playing the last two seasons for Florida and the three years before that for Arizona State.

A shoulder injury has kept Pearsall out of form for the past 3 1/2 weeks after an offseason hamstring injury delayed his entry into training camp by every week. His left shoulder has been partially dislocated since his third 12 months in college and he aggravated it in spring practice and on Aug. 6.

He has been doing conditioning exercises on the side because the 49ers prepare for his or her regular season opener on Sept. 9 against the New York Jets at Levi's Stadium.

While Pearsall's playing availability is uncertain, he expected to fill a supporting role in his rookie 12 months on a large receiver unit led by Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, the latter of whom signed a contract extension on Friday after months of negotiations.

Originally published:

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