49ers' Ricky Pearsall says he's willing to meet suspect who shot him during attempted robbery in SF

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall said during a press conference on Thursday that he would be open to meeting the teen suspect who shot him during an attempted robbery in San Francisco.

Pearsall took to the podium to answer reporters' questions when he was asked if he would extend an "olive branch" to the teen suspect.

"That's something I would probably do moving forward," said Pearsall. "When it gets to that point where I can sit down and talk to the kid... maybe, I want to first see if he's open to it because, you know, that's also important to me."

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

Exclusive video shows the moments after 49ers' Ricky Pearsall was shot in San Francisco's Union Square, and the 17-year-old suspect being apprehended.

In August 2024, Pearsall was shot through the chest after a 17-year-old attempted to rob him while he was walking down the street near Union Square.

The incident happened just hours after he appeared at an autograph signing event just miles away.

Witnesses say shortly after the gunshots rang out, he saw police who were stationed nearby running towards the scene.

The first officer to arrive was Sgt. Joelle Harrell, who told ABC News that she heard the gunshots and then went running to find Pearsall on the ground in a pool of blood.

"I use my right hand, because this is my strong hand, to seal the wound. And then I put it up here to hold that," Sgt. Harrell said.

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The sergeant says that while they waited for paramedics to arrive, she knew keeping Pearsall conscious and calm was paramount.

She detailed some of their conversation during those critical minutes.

"I know you don't know me, but please trust me, God is with us. It's not your time, OK, it's not your time. I want you to continue to breathe. Just breathe," Sgt. Harrell said.

Thanks to Pearsall's description, SFPD was able to identify and arrest the suspect.

The teen suspect is facing attempted murder charges.