Mark Mulder Rips San Francisco After 49ers Rookie Ricky Pearsall Shooting

Former MLB pitcher Mark Mulder blasted the city of San Francisco in an X post over the weekend after 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was shot in a robbery attempt, calling it an "absolute hell hole of a city."

Former MLB star Mark Mulder has unleashed a scathing attack on San Francisco, labeling it an "absolute hell hole" following the shooting of 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall.

Mulder, who played for the Oakland Athletics and St. Louis Cardinals during his nine-year MLB career, took to X to express his disgust at the city's rampant crime and decline.

Mark Mulder Rips San Francisco After 49ers Rookie Ricky Pearsall Shooting

"What an absolute hell hole of a city!" he wrote. "The mentally ill Libs will still tell you how beautiful it is all while they get mugged and step in s---."

Pearsall was shot in the chest in an attempted robbery in the Union Square area on Saturday. A 17-year-old suspect has been arrested in connection with the shooting, which occurred shortly after 3:30 p.m. local time.

Mark Mulder Rips San Francisco After 49ers Rookie Ricky Pearsall Shooting

Pearsall's mother, Erin, revealed that the bullet exited his body without hitting any vital organs. He was discharged from the hospital on Sunday.

Mulder's criticism of San Francisco adds to a growing chorus of voices lamenting the city's deteriorating living conditions. Last year, NBA legend Charles Barkley blasted the city during the NBA All-Star Game weekend, while former San Francisco Giants star Buster Posey also cited crime and drugs as deterrents for potential free agents.

Mark Mulder Rips San Francisco After 49ers Rookie Ricky Pearsall Shooting

San Francisco's crime rate has soared in recent years. According to the San Francisco Police Department's latest crime statistics, violent crime increased by 8.5% in 2022 compared to 2021. The city also saw a sharp rise in property crime, with thefts and burglaries jumping by 12.3% and 15.9%, respectively.

San Francisco mayoral candidate Mark Leno took aim at his opponent, incumbent London Breed, following the Pearsall shooting, tweeting: "Enough is enough. We need a new mayor who will prioritize public safety and restore order back to our city."

Breed, who held a news conference after the incident, denounced the shooting and pledged to crack down on crime.

"Robberies and any violence like this will not be tolerated in our city," she said. "This was a terrible and rare incident in Union Square."

However, critics argue that Breed's administration has failed to adequately address the city's crime problem. They point to budget cuts to the police department, as well as the city's sanctuary city status, which prohibits local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities.

Pearsall was drafted by the 49ers in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He had been sidelined during training camp with nagging injuries.