Teen arraigned on attempted murder in shooting of 49ers' Ricky Pearsall says he is very sorry
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- The 17-year-old accused of shooting San Francisco 49ers player Ricky Pearsall appeared in front of a judge for the first time Wednesday afternoon.
The suspect, who was joined in court by his parents, will continue to be detained in San Francisco, according to the judge's orders.
His attorney, Deputy Public Defender Bob Dunlap, spoke to the media outside the courthouse following Wednesday's proceedings.
"From what little I know, this is completely out of character for him. I do think there are extraneous circumstances that haven't really formed part of the narrative yet, but I'm still piecing that together," Dunlap said.
Dunlap also confirmed that the teen also has another outstanding matter in San Joaquin County, although he did not elaborate.
EXCLUSIVE: Video shows moment Ricky Pearsall shooting suspect flees Union Square crime scene
He said his client is remorseful following Saturday's incident.
"He's very sorry that this did happen, as is his family. And I can say, on their behalf as well as on my own behalf, that our thoughts go out to the Pearsall family and Mr. Pearsall himself," Dunlap said.
Legal experts say getting the case moved would not be an easy task to accomplish, and the ultimate decision would rest with a judge.
A potential move Dunlap thinks is unnecessary, despite the high-profile nature of the case.
"The only reason you're here talking to me is because Mr. Pearsall is a 49er, I mean, let's be honest about that," he said.
The case has garnered significant attention across the country and, once again, put a spotlight on San Francisco's public safety.
Over the past days, questions have emerged over whether the city's district attorney, Brooke Jenkins, would seek to move the case from juvenile to adult court.
In a 2022 press release, Jenkins said she would only try to move cases that involved certain "heinous crimes."
EXCLUSIVE: SF DA explains teen suspect's attempted murder charge in shooting of 49ers' Pearsall
While the charges her office has filed against the suspect would seem to meet that criteria, Jenkins said Tuesday her office has not yet made a decision over whether to file that petition.
"I don't walk into cases trying to use them as an example. So, I want that to be clear. But it is my job to be sure that people understand that the culture in SF is very different than it was two-and-a-half years ago," Jenkins said.
SF mayor, police chief weigh in on charges
Mayor London Breed, who spoke at Chinatown Night Out Wednesday evening in San Francisco, says she stands by the DA's course of action, whatever that may be going forward.
"I think that's the DA's decision and look the court systems are complicated. Juvenile court is a little different than adult court but ultimately whatever happens it needs to be an aggressive action mostly 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 recap of what happened Saturday to police commissioners Wednesday night. We asked him before that meeting if the teen suspect surrendered after dropping the gun.
"I can't go to what was on his mind but the video kind of says it all - he dropped the gun, so I don't know if he voluntarily surrendered or not but what I do know is that officers were right there and identified him as being part of that incident," said Chief Scott.
As to the teen suspect's "very sorry" apology that came from the public defender. Mayor Breed held a firm tone when we asked her about that Wednesday.
"But at the same time, accountability has to be part of the conversation because things could have been far worse and fortunately they weren't but he needs to be held accountable," said Breed.
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 saw the NFL player was wearing a Rolex watch. A struggle ensued, and gunfire from the suspect's firearm struck both Pearsall and the teenager, who was shot in the arm, police said.
The 49ers rookie was shot through the chest at close range, officials said. His mother, Erin Pearsall, posted on social media that the bullet went through the right side of her son's chest and out his back without striking any vital organs.
The teen lives in Tracy, a city about 60 miles (100 kilometers) east of San Francisco.
He was arrested about a block away from where he allegedly confronted Pearsall.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
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