49ers’ rookie wide receiver, Ricky Pearsall, was shot in the chest in an attempted robbery near Union Square in San Francisco last Saturday.
Thankfully, Pearsall is okay and was released from San Francisco General Hospital a day after the shooting. In a Facebook post, Pearsall’s mother, Erin, said “He was shot in the chest and [the bullet] exited out his back … [the bullet] missed his vital organs”
Before the robbery, Pearsall was signing autographs at an event center in San Francisco, when he decided to walk back to his car in Union Square.
According to reports from the S.F. Police Department and Fire Department, Pearsall was the victim of an attempted robbery by a 17-year-old from Tracy, California. It has been reported that the robber was trying to steal Pearsall’s Rolex watch.
In a public press conference, S.F. Police Chief, William Scott stated “A struggle between Mr. Pearsall and the suspect ensued and gunfire from the suspect’s gun struck both Mr. Pearsall and the subject.”
After the altercation and shooting, the suspect fled, and Pearsall sat injured on the sidewalk. Once authorities arrived, Pearsall was able to describe the suspect to police and he was taken into custody shortly after the incident. The suspect’s identity has not yet been released.
Pearsall may not have walked away from the robbery without the aid of SFPD Sergeant Joelle Harrell, who arrived at the scene moments after the robbery and gunfire. When Sgt. Harrell arrived, an understandably distraught Pearsall asked if he was going to die.
Sgt. Harrell assured Pearsall that he was not going to die and calmed him down while they waited for paramedics. “Please just breathe, stay calm … you’re strong, just be strong like you’re out on the field okay, and breathe. And he looked at me and he listened.” Harrell said in an interview after the incident.
Sgt. Harrell then applied pressure to Pearsall’s gunshot wound and waited with him for paramedics to arrive. Sgt. Harrell is later seen walking with Pearsall to an ambulance in a video taken by a bystander.
Pearsall may have sustained more serious injuries if it wasn’t for the heroics of Sergeant Joelle Harrell. Sgt. Harrell has been publicly applauded for her actions and many credit her with saving the life of Pearsall.
In stressful, high-threat situations like Pearsall’s, the fight-or-flight response often takes over. People either choose to resist the situation they’re in to if they feel confident enough, or they try to remove themselves from the situation to avoid the threat of harm.
Unfortunate situations like Pearsall’s raise questions about what the “right” thing to do is in a threatening encounter and how others would react. So I decided to interview a couple of Butte College students to get their take on what they would do in a similar situation.
Butte College student, Jackson Hutler said “That’s hard to say since I’ve never been in a situation like that. I think if I saw any chance to resist or disarm the robber I would because I work hard for what I got. Obviously my life isn’t worth some watch, but it’s more about the honor of standing up for yourself.”
“As a woman, we are often presented with uncomfortable situations where we need to think quickly … With this situation, I would’ve immediately given the robber what he wanted in order to protect myself and everyone around me … material items can be replaced, and money can be made back but being in an altercation with a threatening person maybe be deadly,” shared Butte College, student Sage Ernest.
Responses to stressful situations that may be life-threatening are going to vary by person and their own life experiences. Factors such as the setting, as well as your gender, age, and size all contribute to how you may respond in a life-threatening situation.
What would you do in a situation like Ricky Pearsall’s?
