NFL Star Ricky Pearsall Incident: 17-Year-Old Charged in 49ers Rookie Shooting

An update has been given concerning the Ricky Pearsall incident. News reports state that the assailant involved in the shooting has been charged.

In a video that has been shared online today, September 4, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced the charges that the 17-year-old male suspect is now facing after shooting NFL star Ricky Pearsall, 23, on August 31 during an attempted robbery.

"In addition to other charges we have filed attempted murder, including allegations of personal discharge of a firearm and personal and intentional discharge of that firearm," revealed Brooke to the public.

The attorney also mentioned that authorities have decided to charge the minor with assault using a semi-automatic firearm. Additionally, the 17-year-old is facing an attempted second-degree robbery charge. Such charges will be filed in juvenile court.

During a court hearing on September 4, new details emerged about the suspect and the circumstances surrounding the incident. The motive for the robbery was revealed by a police sergeant, who stated that the young assailant targeted Ricky because he "spotted him for his expensive watch" as he returned to his parked black Tesla after visiting a luxury store in Union Square.

The suspect's attorney, Deputy Public Defender Bob Dunlap, expressed the teen's remorse during the hearing. "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. So, there is genuine, genuine remorse in that regard," Dunlap said, emphasizing that "He is a young boy."

Despite a recommendation from a probation officer to transfer the teen to his home county of San Joaquin, Judge Roger C. Chan ordered him to remain in San Francisco custody. Family members of both the suspect and Ricky were present during the proceedings.

On the matter of where the charges will be filed, Brooke explained, "No longer under California law can a district attorney choose to file those charges against a minor in adult court. The only mechanism for that is to request a transfer hearing."

The transfer hearing would require a judge to rule on the minor's fitness eligibility to be transferred to an adult court. This transfer would indicate that the juvenile system is ill-equipped for rehabilitation.

Brooke ended her statement by clarifying that the case will be further reviewed by her and her team to determine whether they will seek the fitness hearing or not.

This update comes after CNN reported on September 3, that the 17-year-old assailant was charged in juvenile court and was pending arraignment today. Since news of the charges has been shared publicly, Inside Edition posted a video showing the aftermath of the shooting.

The footage shows Ricky receiving medical attention right after he was shot in the chest. Surrounded by police officers and medical personnel, the shirtless professional footballer was escorted to a gurney that was positioned outside next to an ambulance.

Once seated, a first responder removed the shirt that was used to stop Ricky's open wound from bleeding out before taking a closer look at the injury and tending to it.

When news of Ricky getting wounded by the gunshot during the attempted robbery first circulated public spheres, his doting mother, Erin Pearsall, shared an update on social media. The 23-year-old's team, the San Francisco 49ers, also penned a statement confirming what had happened.

In their message, they extended heartfelt gratitude to the San Francisco Police Department and all the medical personnel at San Francisco General Hospital, who were involved in tending to Ricky while he was in the medical facility before being released.

Explaining the incident, San Francisco Police Chief William Scott gave a news briefing on Saturday evening, August 31. He stated that Ricky told him he had been walking about a block away from Union Square (in San Francisco) around 3:30 p.m. local time when an armed suspect attempted to rob him.

This then led to a physical altercation between the two. "The struggle between Mr. Pearsall and the suspect ensued, and gunfire from the suspect's gun struck both Mr. Pearsall and the subject," divulged the police chief.

While the armed robber had attempted to evade police custody, authorities were successful in capturing him. According to police, the 17-year-old male assailant is from Tracy, North Carolina. Like Ricky, the young shooter was also taken to the hospital after the incident.

Following Chief William's briefing, Ricky's mom, Erin, took to social media to update the public on the matter. She started by thanking God for protecting her son in the situation and then went on to explain that the bullet that entered Ricky’s chest came out of his back, luckily missing his vital organs.

"He is in good spirits right now. 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 🙏❤️," read the end of Erin's statement.

Before Ricky was severely injured by the gunshot, the football star was spotted at the San Francisco Card Show. A video posted by the 49ers tailgate's account, made in collaboration with someone named Santos Hernandez, showed Ricky seated at a table where he signed autographs and interacted with fans.

Footage depicted two excited fans conversing with Ricky, who was dressed in a black t-shirt vest that showed off the tattoos on his left arm.

As the two wrapped up their exchange with the professional footballer, the person recording the video zoomed out to show the extensive queue of people eager to have their one-on-one moment with Ricky.

The videographer then turned the camera back to Ricky to show him signing something else for another fan with a marker. After doing so, Ricky then looked up at the fan with a wide smile before the fan extended his hand out for Ricky to shake.

Ricky then signed a miniature sculpture of a football helmet for another admirer who was holding an adorable baby. Upon seeing the baby boy, Ricky smiled and started to talk to him before humorously attempting to give the baby a fist bump.

The mother of the child then took a sweet picture of the baby and Ricky, who motioned to the baby to look at the camera for the picture before flashing a smile.

Video footage continued to show Ricky signing even more objects, like helmets and footballs, and pictures for fans. Additionally, he took time to pose for photos for those who requested one. The star also shared more sweet moments of interaction with his younger fans.