San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall is still recovering from a shocking shooting incident that took place during an attempted robbery in late August. As Pearsall heals from the gunshot wound he sustained on August 31, stunning new details have surfaced from the defendant’s side, shedding light on the chaotic altercation.
Public Defender Robert Dunlap, representing the defendant in the case, recently gave a statement revealing critical insights based on newly obtained video footage of the confrontation between Pearsall and the suspect. “It was a rather extended struggle between Mr. Pearsall and my client. They were really fighting back and forth on the sidewalk,” Dunlap stated, according to David Lombardi of The Athletic. He added that the struggle intensified when Pearsall gained the upper hand, saying, “As you might imagine, Mr. Pearsall gets the best of it. … He does kind of a nice hip toss and throws my client to the ground and ends up on top of him.”
Dunlap’s statement is particularly significant as it highlights a lengthy physical struggle between the two, suggesting that the incident was more of an attempted robbery rather than an act of attempted murder. However, Dunlap noted that the available video footage does not yet show the moment when the shots were fired. He expressed hope that additional footage will soon clarify this crucial aspect of the case.
Pearsall, who received non-surgical treatment for his injuries, was fortunately released in “fair condition” following the incident. The rookie wide receiver was subsequently placed on the non-football injury (NFI) list by the 49ers, sidelining him for at least four games while he continues his recovery.
Selected by San Francisco with the 31st pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Pearsall had made a name for himself as a standout player during his time with the Florida Gators. Before his professional debut, Pearsall racked up 1,207 yards and six touchdowns in his final season at Florida, following three years at Arizona State.
As the case continues to develop, fans and teammates alike are hoping for Pearsall’s safe and speedy recovery. The newly released details from the defendant’s side have certainly added a fresh layer of intrigue to the ongoing investigation, and the football world will be watching closely as more information emerges about what really happened during that fateful night in late August.