A juvenile suspect is in custody after allegedly shooting San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall in the chest Saturday afternoon during an attempted robbery in central San Francisco, officials said.
Pearsall, 23, was in stable condition at San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott said during a news briefing Saturday.
Pearsall was walking alone shortly after 3:30 p.m. when a suspect attempted to rob him with a gun on Geary Boulevard in the Union Square area.
"A struggle between Mr. Pearsall and the suspect ensued and gunfire from the suspect's gun struck both Mr. Pearsall and the subject," Scott said, who noted more than one shot was fired.
Officers in the area responded immediately and provided emergency medical aid and arrested the suspect.
Police identified the suspect as a 17-year-old male resident of Tracy, California, about 101 km east of San Francisco, who also was transported to San Francisco General. His condition was not immediately disclosed.
A gun allegedly belonging to the suspect was recovered and investigators believe he acted alone, Scott said.
"This kind of violence is simply unacceptable in our city and we will do everything in our power to work with District Attorney Brooke Jenkins to ensure that justice is served in this matter," Scott said.
Jenkins told reporters at the briefing that her office expects to make a charging decision by Tuesday or Wednesday and initially will file any charges in the juvenile court system.
Scott said there was no indication Pearsall was targeted because he is a player for the city's football team.
The 49ers issued a statement earlier saying Pearsall was hit by a bullet in the chest and gave his condition as serious
Read more on cbc.ca
cbc.ca
