Ricky Pearsall’s 17-year-old shooter is guilty of a botched robbery – NOT attempted murder – says public defender

The 17-year-old charged in the attempted murder of 49ers receiver Ricky Pearsall is instead guilty of attempted robbery, according to the boy’s attorney.

San Francisco Deputy Public Defender Bob Dunlap spoke to reporters after Wednesday’s pretrial hearing over the August 31 incident, which resulted in gunshot wounds for both the 17-year-old and the NFL rookie. A bullet passed through Pearsall’s chest and out his back, but somehow missed any major organs, while the defendant took a bullet through the forearm.

Dunlop told media that footage he shared with prosecutors shows ‘a rather extended struggle.’

‘It supports what´s always been my belief and theory in this case, that this is an attempted robbery, not an attempted murder,’ Dunlap said.

San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins has not yet decided if the teenager will be tried as an adult or a juvenile. 

Pearsall was reportedly shopping at a high-end department store in the area before being shot

The 23-year-old Pearsall was shopping at luxury retail stores in San Francisco’s Union Square when the suspect allegedly saw the 49ers’ first-round pick wearing a Rolex watch and other expensive jewelry. Police say this is when the 17-year-old attempted to rob Pearsall at gunpoint.

The gun was discharged several times during the ensuing struggle, striking both Pearsall and the accused teenager.

The defendant was arrested nearby and was charged last week with attempted murder, assault with a semiautomatic weapon and attempted second-degree robbery, as well as several gun charges.

Pearsall was released from the hospital a day after the shooting and returned to the 49ers’ facility in Santa Clara the following day.

He is currently on the team’s reserve/non-football injury list, which means he will miss the first four games of his rookie campaign as he recovers.

The 17-year-old defendant is a resident of Tracy, a city about 60 miles (100 kilometers) east of San Francisco.

Pearsall was taken with the 31st pick of April’s NFL Draft after playing collegiately at Arizona State and Florida. He was not expected to start in 2024, but could still provide much-needed depth if veterans Deebo Samuel or Brandon Aiyuk go down with an injury.