San Francisco 49ers first-round draft pick Ricky Pearsall was released from the hospital Sunday after being shot in an attempted robbery near San Francisco’s Union Station.
“San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was released from the hospital this afternoon as he continues to recover from a bullet wound to his chest,” the 49ers said in a statement.
“He and his family, along with the entire San Francisco 49ers organization, would like to thank the San Francisco Police Department, emergency medical services, doctors and staff at San Francisco General Hospitaln” the statement continued.
Two people were shot in the incident, and one of the victims was listed in critical condition. According to FOX40, the wide receiver was in stable condition.
San Francisco police confirmed that a 17-year-old suspect attempted to rob Pearsall and then a physical altercation ensued.
Pearsall’s teammate Deebo Samuels posted on X, “He’s good. Thank god!!!!”
San Francisco Mayor London Breed released a statement on X regarding the shooting. “SFPD was on scene immediately and an arrest of the shooter was made. My thoughts are with Ricky and his family at this time. We will provide more updates, including on his condition, as I receive them.”
The San Francisco Police Department asks residents to avoid the area of Geary and Grant Streets.
According to SFPD, the suspect is in custody and charges are pending at this time.
Anyone with information about this shooting is asked to call the SFPD tip line at (415) 575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411 and begin the text message with “SFPD.”
Crime in San Francisco
While Breed condemned the act, he commended the city’s police officers for their fast response, saying: “Their work ensures that people know if they come to San Francisco to commit crimes, they will be arrested.”
Despite recent improvements in crime rates, with a 32% drop in property crime and a 14% decrease in violent crime in the first quarter of 2024, incidents like this remind the community that challenges remain.
At the center for the debate on crime in California is Proposition 47, also known as the Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Act. It passed in 2014.
The law was designed to reduce prison overcrowding by changing some nonviolent crimes, like theft under $950, from felonies to misdemeanors.
However, critics say this change has led to a rise in retail theft, making some criminals feel like they can get away with it because the penalties are lower. Still, legal experts note that shoplifting was usually treated as a misdemeanor even before the proposition was passed.
“Everyone says San Francisco is like going downhill and sketchy, but there are a lot of people out here who are awesome,” tourist Steven Gardner said. “I love the city and, hopefully, we can come together and rally around Pearsall, and hopefully, something like this doesn’t happen again.”
Governor Gavin Newsom recently introduced “targeted reforms” to Prop 47, which will appear on the Golden State’s ballots this fall. This legislative package proposes tougher penalties for repeat offenders and provides more tools for law enforcement to prosecute felony thefts, including those tied to organized retail theft rings.
Newsom’s measure was conceived as an alternative to the Republican-backed Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Retail Theft initiative already on the ballot, which would roll back Proposition 47 and increase punishments.
Actor Johnny Wactor’s death
Pearsall isn’t the first celebrity to be injured during an attempted crime in California this year.
Johnny Wactor, a 37-year-old actor known for his roles on “General Hospital” and “Westworld”, was shot May 25 during an attempted theft of a catalytic converter in Los Angeles.
Police said the 37-year-old had left work at a rooftop bar with a co-worker when he saw three men who had hoisted his car. Police said one of them fired at him without provocation and killed him.
Robert Barceleau, Leonel Gutierrez and Sergio Estrada, all 18 years old at the time of the crime, were booked on arrest warrants for murder. Frank Olano, 22, was booked for being an alleged accessory to the crime. Estrada and Barceleau have since pleaded not guilty.
“Grief is my constant companion,” his mother, Scarlett Wactor, told “Banfield.” “I can’t wish him happy birthday on August 31 — he would have been 38. I can’t ask if he’s coming home for Christmas. I can’t ask how his day went.”
NewsNation’s Liz Jassin and Anna Kutz contributed to this report.