A San Francisco judge ruled that an 18-year-old accused of shooting 49ers player Ricky Pearsall will be tried as a juvenile.

A San Francisco judge has ruled that a 17-year-old suspect charged in the August 2024 attempted robbery and shooting of 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall will be tried as a juvenile, not an adult. The teen, now 18, faced potential harsher penalties in adult court on charges including attempted murder and assault. The incident occurred when the suspect allegedly targeted Pearsall, who was wearing expensive jewelry, and opened fire during a struggle. Pearsall survived and later returned to the NFL. Prosecutors sought to transfer the case to adult court, citing the crime’s severity, but the judge determined the juvenile system was appropriate, considering the suspect’s history of trauma, abuse, and foster care experience. The teen has been a model inmate, graduating high school and enrolling in community college. A pre-trial hearing is scheduled for September 24, 2025.