Ricky Pearsall shooting: Teen arraigned on 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 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.

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.

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.

RELATED: SFPD officer recounts rushing to aid 49ers’ Ricky Pearsall after he was shot

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.