Cop reveals 49ers' Ricky Pearsall's heartbreaking first words after he was shot during robbery attempt
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA: In a shocking and heartbreaking incident over the weekend, San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall found himself in a life-threatening situation when he was shot in the chest during an attempted robbery.
The 23-year-old, who had just embarked on his NFL career after being selected in the first round of this year's draft, was targeted by a 17-year-old assailant in downtown San Francisco's Union Square.
The incident occurred on Saturday evening, August 31, as Pearsall was reportedly targeted for his Rolex watch. During the struggle, both Pearsall and the suspect were shot.
One of the most poignant aspects of this incident was revealed by San Francisco police sergeant Joelle Harrell, who was among the first responders at the scene, as per Daily Mail.
Sergeant Joelle Harrell reveals Ricky Pearsall's first words after getting shot
Sgt Harrell recounted the moment when Pearsall, visibly shaken and seriously injured, asked her a question no one should ever have to utter: "Am I gonna die?"
"He looks at me and he's like, 'Am I gonna die?' I'm just like, 'No,'" Harrell told NBC Bay Area.
She described how she removed her hat to make eye contact with Pearsall, emphasizing the importance of reassuring him in that critical moment.
"I take off my hat because I wanted to make eye contact with him. I wanted him to hear me. I said to him, 'Listen, look at me. I know you don't know me, but I want you to trust me, it's not your time,'" she revealed.
Despite the severity of the situation, Pearsall found some solace in Harrell's words. Harrell, who was initially unaware of Pearsall's status as an NFL player, later tried to comfort him further by referencing his strength on the football field.
"Remember you're gonna be ok. You're strong, be strong like you are on the field," she told him. According to Harrell, Pearsall responded positively to her words, calming down in those critical moments as they awaited further medical assistance.
As details of the incident became public, it was revealed that the suspect, a 17-year-old male, was attempting to rob Pearsall of his Rolex watch when the altercation occurred.
Both Pearsall and the suspect were shot, but police quickly apprehended the suspect, who had lost his shoes during the struggle. As of Monday night, the suspect remained in custody, facing potential charges related to the attempted robbery and shooting.
Shooting impacts Ricky Pearsall’s professional career
The incident has had a significant impact on Pearsall’s professional career as well.
On Monday, September 2, the San Francisco 49ers placed Pearsall on the reserve/non-football injury list, which means he will miss at least the first four games of his rookie season.
This development is undoubtedly a major setback for Pearsall, who was looking forward to making his NFL debut this season.
In response to Pearsall’s placement on the injury list, the 49ers moved quickly to fill the vacancy on their 53-man roster.
The team signed offensive tackle Brandon Parker to a one-year deal, ensuring they maintain depth as they prepare for the start of the season.
However, the focus remains on Pearsall’s recovery and well-being, as both the team and fans alike rally around him during this difficult time.
San Francisco 49ers General Manager John Lynch addressed the media on Tuesday, September 3, providing an update on Pearsall’s condition and expressing gratitude for the outpouring of support from the community.
Lynch, who visited Pearsall in the hospital, shared that Pearsall did not suffer any nerve or organ damage from the shooting, a fact that has been met with immense relief by everyone associated with the team. He was later released from hospital and is recovering.
"Just by the grace of God, Ricky Pearsall's here with the team and doing really well, and just wanted to address that situation from a team perspective. We just all feel incredibly blessed," Lynch stated during the press conference.
