49ers rookie Ricky Pearsall shot in the chest in San Francisco robbery attempt

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was shot in the chest during an attempted robbery in San Francisco on Saturday, authorities and his team said.

In a statement, the 49ers said Pearsall “sustained a bullet wound to his chest and is in serious but stable condition.” 

Mayor London Breed said on social media platform X that the attack took place in the Union Square community in the center of downtown.

“SFPD was on scene immediately and an arrest of the shooter was made,” the mayor said, referring to the San Francisco Police Department.

In a statement, San Francisco police said officers responded to a report of a shooting at Geary Street and Grant Avenue in the heart of the Union Square community about 3:37 p.m. and found two people who had been injured after an altercation.

“One of the subjects attempted to rob the victim, San Francisco 49ers player Ricky Pearsall,” the department said. “During the attempted robbery, a physical altercation ensued, and both the suspect and victim were injured. The suspect is in custody and charges are pending at this time.”

The department said both Pearsall and the suspected shooter were hospitalized. 

San Francisco County Supervisor Aaron Peskin said earlier on X that Pearsall, a 23-year-old rookie drafted by the 49ers in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft, had been stabilized at a hospital.

Pearsall’s agent and representatives for the NFL did not immediately respond to requests for information Saturday night.

“My thoughts are with Ricky and his family at this time,” Breed said.

Likewise, the 49ers said, “Our thoughts and prayers are with Ricky and the entire Pearsall family.”

The high-profile attack came as crime and homelessness in San Francisco have become paramount topics in local politics.

Peskin, the San Francisco County supervisor, is challenging Breed for the mayorship of the city. He has supported tough-on-crime stances, including arresting drug dealers, while also pushing for treatment of users and seeing crime as a society-wide issue rather than as a problem only police can solve.