Teen charged in shooting San Francisco 49ers rookie Ricky Pearsall says he deeply regrets it

The high school senior accused of attempting to murder San Francisco 49ers player Ricky Pearsall is “deeply remorseful” after allegedly shooting the starting receiver, the teen’s attorney said after his arraignment in juvenile court on Wednesday.

The 17-year-old boy’s public defender, Bob Dunlap, told reporters after the hearing that his client — who also faces assault with a semi-automatic firearm and attempted robbery charges — has expressed remorse for Saturday’s shooting in San Francisco’s Union Square.

Pearsall, a first-round draft pick, was shot in the chest during a botched robbery and is expected to miss the first four games of the season.

The alleged shooter is “truly very saddened that this has happened, as is his family,” Dunlap said after the summons. “And I can say on their behalf, and on my own behalf, that our thoughts go out to the Pearsall family and Mr. Pearsall himself.”

“So there is real, real remorse in that regard,” Dunlap added. “He’s a young boy.”

The 17-year-old will remain in custody in San Francisco, District Court Judge Roger Chan ruled, despite a recommendation from the probation officer to transfer him to his home county of San Joaquin, where the teen has an ongoing case.

Pearsall, 23, was shot when the teen tried to steal his Rolex watch around 3:30 p.m. Saturday.

The rookie managed to thwart the robbery, but he was hit by a bullet and the suspect was hit by another bullet when the gun went off during the struggle.

According to San Francisco Supervisor Aaron Peskin, police told him about the NFL player’s determination to fight off the robbery: “Ricky wasn’t having it.” According to the Los Angeles Times, he was told by police that he was determined to fight off the robbery.

The teenager was quickly arrested as he attempted to flee the busy street on foot.

Officers assisted Pearsall and the suspect before taking them to a hospital for treatment, where the rookie was listed in “serious but stable condition.”

The player who was selected first in the draft had been signing autographs earlier that afternoon before he was shot.

Pearsall was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list on Monday.

Pearsall’s mother Erin shared in a Facebook post that he was “shot in the chest and it came out through his spine,” missing his vital organs.

“He was extremely lucky,” she said.

He was cleared to return for the team’s fifth game against the Cardinals on Oct. 6.

Pearsall was selected in the first round of the 49ers draft in June — 31st overall — and played three years at Arizona State and two at Florida during his college career.

With postal wires