Lawyer: Teenager suspected in shooting of Ricky Pearsall expresses ‘deep regret’

The 17-year-old suspect in the shooting of San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall appeared in court for the first time Wednesday afternoon and expressed remorse for the incident through his defense attorney.

The unidentified suspect appeared for a hearing in the city's juvenile court, where the judge will decide whether or not to charge him as an adult.

During his arraignment, the teenager stared straight ahead and did not turn to greet his parents, who were present and sitting directly behind him. His mother asked for a Spanish interpreter to be able to follow the proceedings.

Remarks of the defense

Following the hearing, Assistant Public Defender Bob Dunlap told reporters outside court that his client, a high school student, has no criminal record and regrets the incident.

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

Dunlap had no immediate response to the allegations against his client.

“You know, it's really too early for me to say because I don't have all the evidence yet,” Dunlap said. “I just saw a police report. I saw the video, which I'm sure there's a lot of, and I'm very excited to see it because I think it will shed a lot of light on the actual part of the incident that involved the shooting.”

The resident of Tracy, about 60 miles east of San Francisco in San Joaquin County, is charged with attempted murder with the aggravated charges of discharging a firearm, assault with a semi-automatic firearm, and attempted second-degree robbery. Additional charges include carrying a loaded firearm, concealed possession of a firearm, carrying a handgun as a minor, and criminal damage to property.

Pearsall recovers after he was shot in the chest in San Francisco's Union Square on SaturdayThe 49ers' top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft was shot while struggling with a gunman who tried to rob him, police said. Cellphone footage showed rescue workers carefully leading Pearsall to an ambulancePearsall's mother said on social media that a single bullet entered the right side of his chest and exited the back, missing vital organs.

During the struggle with Pearsall, the suspect was also shot with his own weapon. Dunlap said the bullet went through his left arm, but he was not seriously injured.

Possible charges against juvenile suspect

On Tuesday, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said police are investigating aspects of the teen's past that could lead to a change in charges, which would result in the teen's case being transferred to adult court.

After Wednesday's hearing, Dunlap said he did not believe transferring the case to adult court was justified.

“Well, I really hope they don't. I think my client should certainly be treated as a minor. He is a minor,” Dunlap said. “Transfer is very rare. This is obviously a serious case, a shooting. Under normal circumstances, this would not warrant a transfer. I hope that is not the case in this case.”

“I will also say this. I saw District Attorney Brooke Jenkins' press conference yesterday where she said the victim's status should not dictate the outcome of this decision, and I give her a lot of credit for that. Of course, there is a lot of pressure from the media, the national media, and the way this is being portrayed in various quarters for her to make such a decision. But the only reason you're here talking to me is because Mr. Pearsall is a 49er, let's be honest, but that status alone should not dictate that outcome.”

Legal experts said that transferring from juvenile to adult court depends entirely on the individual case and whether the juvenile has a criminal past.

“You have an individual who has committed an egregious crime. And we think because that individual committed this crime that is equivalent to an adult, they should be tried as an adult,” Dr. Lisa Hill, a criminal justice professor at Cal State East Bay, told CBS News Bay Area. “But the behavior does not mean that a person is mature enough to be transferred to the adult system.”

The maximum age for admission to juvenile court is 25. Hill said the judge and probation office must consider several factors.

“The big question is whether or not this person can be rehabilitated by the time the juvenile sentence is over,” she said. “Yes, it is a serious offence, but how can we save this person since he is a juvenile? What tools are available to the juvenile court?” she said.

A probation officer recommended that the teen be transferred to San Joaquin County, where he is awaiting trial in an unrelated case that was not disclosed, but Judge Roger Chan said the suspect will remain in custody in San Francisco.

His next court date was scheduled for Tuesday at 1:30 p.m.

Pearsall back in the team

Pearsall returned to the team's facilities in Santa Clara on Tuesday, less than 72 hours after the shooting. General Manager John Lynch told reporters that Pearsall’s recovery was “nothing short of a miracle” and that the team expects him to play this season. Pearsall will miss at least the first four games of the regular season because he was placed on a non-football injury reserve list.

“He's going to need that time physically. He's going to need that time emotionally and mentally and we made that decision,” Lynch said. “When we signed Ricky, we did it for the long term and Ricky is going to be a fantastic player here.”

Lynch told reporters that it was “God's grace” that Pearsall returned to the team so quickly.

Sooji Nam contributed to this report.