Teenager charged with shooting NFL player Ricky Pearsall

A teenager has been charged with attempted murder and robbery of San Francisco 49ers player Ricky Pearsall, who was shot and killed on Saturday.

The 17-year-old, whose case is being tried in juvenile court, was arrested near the crime scene in San Francisco's Union Square.

Pearsall, 23, was photographed shirtless at the scene after suffering a gunshot wound to the chest. He was taken to hospital and released the next day.

The wide receiver is expected to miss the first few games of his debut season for the 49ers, but the NFL team's general manager said it was “nothing short of a miracle” that his injuries were not worse.

John Lynch told reporters on Tuesday that his player was handling the situation “amazingly well.”

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Pearsall was signing autographs at an event before heading to the square where the incident occurred.

The newspaper quoted police as saying that he was targeted because of his “expensive watch.” A struggle ensued and Pearsall was shot.

In the footage shared online, the footballer can be seen being taken to an ambulance by paramedics and sitting on a stretcher while clutching a jersey to his chest.

His mother then wrote on social media that Pearsall “was shot in the chest and the bullet exited his back,” adding, “Thank God it missed his vital organs.”

Police said the suspect was also injured. His current condition was not disclosed. His name was not disclosed due to his age.

They are charged with attempted murder, assault with a semi-automatic firearm and attempted second-degree robbery, said San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins.

The teenager is due to appear in court on Wednesday and prosecutors will seek to have him taken into custody, Ms Jenkins said.

Ms Jenkins said she reserved the option of asking the judge to refer the case to adult court if it was felt that the youth justice system was “not fit to rehabilitate” the alleged offender.

Pearsall was selected by the 49ers in the first round of the NFL Draft in April, which selects the league's best college players.