San Francisco 49ers rookie Ricky Pearsall was shot and killed during an “attempted robbery” in Union Square in San Francisco, police said.
The 23-year-old “suffered a gunshot wound to the chest and is in serious but stable condition,” the San Francisco 49ers said in a statement.
Shortly before 4 p.m. local time, police responded to a call of a shooting and found two men “suffering from injuries,” the San Francisco Police Department said in a statement.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 01: Ricky Pearsall #WO23 of the Florida Gators speaks to the media during the 2024 NFL Draft Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 01, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
Michael Hickey/Getty Images
“During the attempted robbery, a physical altercation occurred and both the suspect and victim were injured,” according to the SFPD.
Preliminary information indicates the receiver was targeted because of a Rolex watch he was wearing, sources confirmed to ABC News.
Pearsall was walking down the street when a 17-year-old suspect from Tracy, California, approached and attempted to rob him, police said during a briefing outside San Francisco General Hospital.
Police said Pearsall was not targeted because he was a football player, but because it was a random street robbery.
The suspect is in custody and charges are being examined, police said in a statement.
Pearsall, a first-round pick, suffered a shoulder injury during the preseason and returned to practice last week, according to the National Football League.
