Crime-ridden San Francisco was the scene of yet another brazen attack over the weekend when a promising young NFL standout was caught in an altercation with a would-be thief.
As Breitbart reports, the San Francisco 49ers football team confirmed that its 1st round draft choice, Ricky Pearsall, sustained a gunshot wound to the chest during an attempted robbery on Saturday, the aftermath of which was depicted in a video taken at the scene.
News of Pearsall's misfortune first emerged in a report from local NBC affiliate reporter Gia Vang.
The San Francisco-based journalist wrote on social media, “49ers Ricky Pearsall has been shot in Union Square in an attempted robbery. According to Sup. Peskin's office, the suspect is in custody and Ricky is in stable condition. His office has been in touch with Central Command. More to come.”
The professional football franchise confirmed the alarming reports, which first appeared in local San Francisco media, noting that at the time of its statement, the rookie was in “serious but stable” condition at an area hospital.
Taking to X to inform the public Pearsall's status after the event, the team wrote, “He sustained a bullet wound to his chest and is in serious but stable condition.”
The team went on to add, “We ask that you please respect his privacy at this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with Ricky and the entire Pearsall family.”
Evan Sernoffsky, director of strategic communications for the San Francisco Police Department, later issued a statement providing the press with more background on what occurred.
Sernoffsky's statement on X explained, “On August 31, 2024, at approximately 3:37 p.m., San Francisco Police offers responded to the area of Geary Street and Grant Avenue on a report of a shooting.”
The statement went on to note that officers found “two male subjects suffering from injuries,” with both ultimately transported to the hospital for further evaluation.
“During the preliminary investigation, officers learned one of the subjects attempted to rob the victim, San Francisco 49ers player Ricky Pearsall. During the attempted robbery, a physical altercation ensued, and both the suspect and victim were injured,” the spokesperson continued.
In a piece of incredible footage taken at the scene and posted by Adam Schefter, Pearsall can be seen walking to a waiting ambulance after he was shot by the suspect, who was later reported to be in police custody with charges pending.
Despite the seemingly dire scenario that unfolded on Saturday, the 49ers confirmed on Sunday that Pearsall had been released from the hospital on Sunday and would be able to continue his recuperation from home, as the Daily Mail noted.
The team added of Pearsall, “He and his family, along with the entire San Francisco 49ers organization, would like to thank the San Francisco Police Department, emergency medical services, doctors and staff at San Francisco General Hospital,” and those are sentiments that scores of football fans surely share.
