San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Keion White is recovering in the hospital after being shot early Monday morning in the city, becoming the second Niners player in 18 months to be caught in gunfire.
White, 27, was hit in the ankle just after 4 a.m. on Mission Street, according to police and a statement from the team. His injuries aren’t believed to be life-threatening or career-ending, but he was rushed into surgery moments after arriving at the hospital.
The 49ers confirmed the frightening incident, saying, “Keion White was a victim of a shooting and sustained a bullet wound to his ankle this morning in San Francisco. He is currently undergoing surgery at a local hospital.”
Police say officers found White after responding to reports of shots fired outside a business. Investigators believe a heated argument erupted between two groups inside moments before an unknown suspect opened fire. White is not believed to have been involved in that altercation.
He was treated on the scene before being taken in for further care, and the SFPD’s Strategic Investigation Unit is now leading the case. No arrests have been made.
Just hours before the shooting, White was spotted at Sunday’s Super Bowl at Levi’s Stadium, where his former team, the New England Patriots, fell to the Seattle Seahawks.
White joined the 49ers in 2025 and appeared in 11 games last season, bringing his career totals to 47 games played, 100 tackles, 7.5 sacks, nine passes defended, and two forced fumbles between San Francisco and New England.
The shooting draws eerie parallels to an August 2024 incident involving teammate Ricky Pearsall, who was shot during an attempted robbery targeting his Rolex watch. In that case, police arrested a 17-year-old suspect who allegedly acted alone.
San Francisco Police Chief William Scott spoke out after Pearsall’s shooting, saying, “This kind of violence is simply unacceptable in our city.”
White is expected to recover as investigators continue searching for the gunman responsible.
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