Additional Coverage:
On September 1st – San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was discharged from the hospital on Sunday, following a shooting incident during an attempted robbery at Union Square on Saturday. Pearsall, a recent first-round NFL Draft pick, suffered a gunshot to the chest but is now in stable condition.
Taken swiftly to San Francisco General Hospital in serious condition, Pearsall is now on the mend. The NFL team relayed his steady recovery and extended thanks to the local police, emergency medical staff, and hospital personnel for their prompt assistance.
Pearsall’s mother, Erin, shared an optimistic update on Facebook, revealing that her son was fortunate as the bullet did not hit any vital organs and had exited his back. She mentioned that Pearsall was in high spirits, attributing his survival to divine intervention.
Despite the trauma, Pearsall managed to walk to the ambulance on his own and provided police with details about the ordeal. A 17-year-old from Tracy, California, also sustained a gunshot wound during the incident and was treated at the same hospital. The youth will face charges in the juvenile court, as stated by San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins.
San Francisco Police Chief William Scott clarified at a press conference that the shooter appeared to be acting independently, and there was no evidence suggesting Pearsall was targeted for his sports profile.
49ers General Manager John Lynch made a point to visit Pearsall in the hospital to show support. Pearsall, standing 6-foot-1 and weighing 189 pounds, was the 31st overall pick in the NFL Draft, chosen for his standout performance at the University of Florida, where he transferred from Arizona State.
Union Square, the scene of the incident, is a bustling hub filled with shops, eateries, and cultural spots, frequently visited by both tourists and locals.
Following the incident, Pearsall resumed training on Monday after a three-week hiatus due to a shoulder issue. The 49ers are set to face the New York Jets in their season opener on September 9th.