A 17-year-old high school senior was arraigned in juvenile court on Wednesday, facing charges of attempted murder in the weekend shooting of San Francisco 49ers rookie receiver Ricky Pearsall. The teen, dressed in a green sweatshirt and pants, appeared before the judge without acknowledging his parents, who were present in the courtroom. Through his attorney, the young defendant expressed remorse for his actions.
“He’s genuinely very sorry that this did happen, as is his family,” said the teen’s attorney, Deputy Public Defender Bob Dunlap. “Our thoughts go out to the Pearsall family and Mr. Pearsall himself. So there is genuine, genuine remorse in that regard. He is a young boy.”
San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins charged the teen with attempted murder, assault with a semiautomatic weapon, and attempted second-degree robbery. Additional gun-related charges were added on Wednesday. Jenkins’ office is still deciding whether to petition the court to try the teen as an adult, a decision that requires judicial approval under California law.
The daylight shooting occurred on Saturday in San Francisco’s upscale Union Square shopping district. Pearsall, 23, was walking to his car after shopping when the teen allegedly noticed the NFL player’s Rolex watch. A struggle ensued, during which gunfire erupted, striking both Pearsall and the suspect, who was shot in the arm.
Pearsall was shot through the chest at close range. His mother, Erin Pearsall, shared on social media that the bullet passed through her son’s chest and exited his back without hitting vital organs. The wide receiver was released from the hospital on Sunday and returned to the 49ers’ facility on Monday. He has since been placed on the non-football injury list, giving him time to recover from both the shooting and a shoulder injury that had sidelined him earlier in the season.
During the court proceedings, a probation officer recommended that the teen be transferred to his home county of San Joaquin, where he faces other legal issues. However, Superior Court Judge Roger C. Chan ordered that the teen remain in San Francisco custody for the time being.
The incident has cast a national spotlight on San Francisco, a city already grappling with rising crime rates, including brazen shoplifting and assaults on Asian American seniors. Mayor London Breed, who is facing reelection in November, is under pressure to address the city’s safety concerns.