17-Year-Old Who Shot 49ers Rookie WR Ricky Pearsall During Robbery Breaks His Silence With Shocking Apology

Ricky Pearsall of San Francisco 49ers running in practice.Ricky Pearsall (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

The 17-year-old male who shot San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall during an attempted robbery on Saturday has broken his silence with an apology.

On Saturday, the football world was stunned to learn that a teenager had shot Ricky Pearsall in the chest during a robbery. Pearsall was on his way to an autograph signing event when he encountered the robber, who wanted his Rolex.

Pearsall was taken to the hospital following the shooting, and police quickly apprehended the suspect. Pearsall thankfully avoided serious injuries and was released from the hospital on Sunday.

Deputy Public Defender Bob Dunlap is the attorney representing the 17-year-old suspect. He passed along an apology from his client, via Per Olga R. Rodriguez of the Associated Press:

‘He’s genuinely very sorry that this did happen, as is his family, and I can say on their behalf, as well as on my own behalf, our thoughts go out to the Pearsall family and Mr. Pearsall himself. So there is genuine, genuine remorse in that regard. He is a young boy.”

San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins with multiple charges, including attempted murder and attempted second-degree robbery, per Rodriguez. It has not yet been decided if the teenager will be tried as an adult.

The 49ers placed Ricky Pearsall on the reserve/non-football injury list earlier this week, so he’ll be out for at least four games. If he’s cleared to return after Week 4, Pearsall could debut as soon as Week 5 on Oct. 6 vs. the Arizona Cardinals.

San Francisco selected Pearsall 31st overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. In his final season at Florida State, the 23-year-old Pearsall hauled in 65 receptions for 965 yards and four touchdowns.

49ers Open Season vs. New York Jets

The reigning NFC champions will be tested in their season opener next Monday, when Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets travel to Levi’s Stadium for a Week 1 clash. Chances are high that this will be the final chapter of the epic Rodgers-49ers rivalry.

After hosting the Jets on “Monday Night Football”, the 49ers will travel to Minnesota to take on Justin Jefferson and the Vikings.