17-year-old charged with attempted murder of San Francisco 49ers' Ricky Pearsall

A teenager has been charged with attempted murder of Ricky Pearsall after the NFL star was shot dead in broad daylight in San Francisco during an apparent robbery gone wrong.

The 17-year-old, whose name was not disclosed due to age reasons, was charged Tuesday with attempted murder, assault with a semi-automatic rifle and attempted second-degree robbery, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced.

The teenager from Tracy, California, is scheduled to appear at a juvenile court hearing on Wednesday.

Pearsall, 23, was shot in the arm and “at close range through the chest” on Saturday afternoon, officials confirmed.

The San Francisco 49ers rookie was walking alone to his car after shopping at luxury stores in Union Square when the teenage suspect spotted him “because of his expensive watch,” San Francisco Police Sergeant Frank Harrell told the San Francisco Chronicle.

The teenager, armed with a firearm, allegedly tried to rob the 23-year-old, which led to an argument between the two.

During the altercation, shots were fired from the 17-year-old's gun, police said.

The teenager was also hit by a bullet from his own weapon.

He was arrested a block away from the crime scene and taken to the hospital in stable condition.

The firearm used in the incident was seized at the scene.

The NFL player was hospitalized in serious but stable condition. He was released from San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center on Sunday and returned to the team facility on Monday, 49ers general manager John Lynch said. The team has given Pearsall time to recover from the shooting and a shoulder injury sustained over the summer, Lynch said.

Police believe the suspect acted alone and that 23-year-old Pearsall, the team's wide receiver, was not targeted because of his status as a football player.

Prosecutor Jenkins said a suitability hearing will be held to determine whether the juvenile will be tried in adult court.

In 2022, it introduced a new policy allowing youth ages 16 and 17 in San Francisco to be charged as adults for “heinous crimes that shock the conscience of the community.”

In a statement posted on X, Jenkins said: “I am grateful to the police, fire and medical staff at San Francisco General Hospital for their efforts this weekend in response to the Union Square shooting.

“We owe a debt of gratitude to our first responders who work tirelessly every day to keep us safe.

“I am also glad to hear that the victim in this case is recovering well and is in good spirits.”

San Francisco Mayor London Breed posted a video on X praising the police's quick response in arresting the suspect.

In the post, she wrote: “This action sends a clear message: If you come to San Francisco to commit crime, our officers will arrest you and our District Attorney will hold you accountable. Although violent crime has declined in our city, accountability is essential when someone becomes a victim – no matter what neighborhood or time of day.”