Ricky Pearsall shooting: Teenager charged with attempted murder of San Francisco 49ers rookie says he is very sorry

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — The 17-year-old accused of shooting San Francisco 49ers player Ricky Pearsall appeared before a judge for the first time on Wednesday afternoon.

The suspect, who was joined in court by his parents, remains in custody in San Francisco on the judge’s orders.

His attorney, Assistant Public Defender Bob Dunlap, spoke to the media outside the courthouse after the hearing on Wednesday.

“From what little I know, that’s not his character at all. I think there are external circumstances that haven’t really become part of the story yet, but I’m still piecing that all together,” Dunlap said.

Dunlap also confirmed that the teenager has another outstanding case pending in San Joaquin County, but did not elaborate.

EXCLUSIVE: Video shows the moment the suspect in the Ricky Pearsall shooting flees the crime scene at Union Square

He said his client was remorseful following Saturday’s incident.

“He and his family deeply regret that this happened. And I can say on their behalf and my own that our thoughts are with the Pearsall family and with Mr. Pearsall himself,” Dunlap said.

Legal experts say it would not be an easy task to move the case forward and that the final decision would rest with the judge.

Despite the great attention the case is receiving, Dunlap believes this possible step is unnecessary.

“The only reason you’re here talking to me is because Mr. Pearsall is a 49er. Let’s be honest,” he said.

The case attracted widespread attention across the country and brought renewed focus to San Francisco’s public safety.

Questions have arisen in recent days about whether the city’s district attorney, Brooke Jenkins, would seek to transfer the case from juvenile court to adult court.

In a 2022 press release, Jenkins said she would only seek to refer cases involving certain “heinous crimes.”

EXCLUSIVE: San Francisco District Attorney files attempted murder charges against juvenile suspect in shooting of 49ers player Pearsall

Although the charges her office has filed against the suspect appear to meet that criterion, Jenkins said Tuesday her office has not yet made a decision on whether to file the appropriate motion.

“I don’t go into cases and try to use them as examples. That should be clear. But it’s my job to make sure people understand that the culture in San Francisco is very different than it was two and a half years ago,” Jenkins said.

Mayor and police chief of San Francisco comment on the allegations

Mayor London Breed, speaking at Chinatown Night Out in San Francisco on Wednesday night, said she supports the prosecutor’s actions, whatever they may be.

“I think that’s the prosecutor’s decision, and look, the court system is complicated. Juvenile courts are a little different than adult courts, but ultimately, whatever happens, an aggressive approach has to be taken, especially because this kid had a gun and things could have been a lot worse,” said Mayor Breed.

San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott gave a briefing to police commissioners on Saturday’s events Wednesday night. We asked him before that meeting if the teenage suspect turned himself in after dropping the gun.

“I can’t say what was going on in his head, but the video basically says it all – he dropped the gun, so I don’t know if he surrendered voluntarily or not. What I do know is that officers were right there on the scene and identified him as being involved in the incident,” said Police Chief Scott.

As for the public defender’s “very regrettable” apology, Mayor Breed remained firm on Wednesday when we asked her about it.

“But at the same time, responsibility has to be part of the discussion because it could have been a lot worse, which fortunately wasn’t the case. But he has to be held accountable,” Breed said.

Pearsall, 23, was walking alone to his car shortly after 3:30 p.m. Saturday after shopping at luxury stores in Union Square. When the suspect allegedly noticed the NFL player was wearing a Rolex watch, a struggle ensued and both Pearsall and the teen were hit by gunfire from the suspect’s gun, who was shot in the arm, police said.

The 49ers rookie was shot in the chest at close range, officials said. His mother, Erin Pearsall, posted on social media that the bullet passed through the right side of her son’s chest and out his back without hitting any vital organs.

The teenager lives in Tracy, a city about 100 kilometers east of San Francisco.

He was arrested about a block from where he allegedly confronted Pearsall.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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