The California teenager accused of shooting San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall in a failed robbery attempt has now been charged with murder. The 17-year-old suspect, whose identity remains undisclosed, faces charges of attempted murder, assault with a semi-automatic firearm, and attempted robbery, according to San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins.
Jenkins clarified that the charges would be filed in juvenile court, with the suspect’s arraignment scheduled for Wednesday afternoon. Under California law, prosecutors cannot unilaterally transfer a minor to adult court; instead, a fitness hearing must be requested to determine if the juvenile justice system is inadequate for rehabilitation.
Following the incident on Saturday in San Francisco’s Union Square, where Pearsall was shot in the chest during a robbery attempt, the suspect was swiftly apprehended as he attempted to flee the scene. Pearsall, aged 23, managed to resist the robbery, resulting in both him and the suspect sustaining gunshot wounds.
After being treated at a hospital, Pearsall, who was in serious but stable condition, was discharged on Sunday. His mother, Erin, expressed gratitude for his survival, acknowledging the fortunate outcome given the severity of his injuries.
Pearsall, a first-round pick for the 49ers in the recent draft, had been signing autographs prior to the incident. Despite the harrowing experience, he has shown resilience by returning to the team’s facilities and is expected to make a full recovery, with a potential return to the field in October.
General manager John Lynch commended Pearsall’s remarkable progress and expressed optimism about his future participation in the 49ers’ upcoming games. The team remains supportive of Pearsall as he navigates this challenging period, emphasizing his resilience and determination to overcome the traumatic event.
