49ers’ Keion White Recovering After Ankle Surgery Following Early-Morning Shooting in San Francisco
San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Keion White is recovering after being shot in the ankle early Monday morning during an incident in San Francisco’s Mission District. According to police, White was not involved in the altercation that led to the shooting, but was struck in the crossfire and later underwent surgery. He is expected to be OK.
The incident occurred around 4:06 a.m. on the 17th block of Mission Street, where an altercation between two groups broke out at an event. White, 27, was present but not believed to be part of the dispute, per San Francisco Police spokesperson Evan Sernoffsky. After the shooting, officers transported White to a nearby hospital, where he underwent surgery on his ankle Monday afternoon.
“Our officers are working diligently on this investigation and we’re following multiple leads,” Sernoffsky said.
The 49ers released a statement later in the afternoon confirming White was the victim of a shooting and had sustained a bullet wound to his ankle. The team added that they would share updates when appropriate.
At this time, no arrests have been made and there were no other reported injuries. Police have not confirmed whether the event had any connection to the Super Bowl, which had taken place just hours earlier in Santa Clara.
White, a former New England Patriot, was in attendance at Super Bowl 60 between the Patriots and the Seahawks, as seen in photos posted to his Instagram. He was wearing a Patriots hat and appeared to be enjoying the game from the stands.
White was traded to San Francisco on October 29 and appeared in nine games this season, starting two. He recorded 1.5 sacks and six quarterback hits - solid production in limited snaps for a player still carving out his role on a stacked defensive front.
This marks the second time in less than two years that a 49ers player has been involved in a shooting. Back in August 2024, wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was shot during a robbery attempt in downtown San Francisco.
The bullet passed through Pearsall’s chest but miraculously missed all vital organs, and he made a full recovery. In that case, a 17-year-old suspect was later arrested.
As for White, the focus now shifts to his recovery and long-term health. While the injury is serious, early reports suggest a positive outlook following surgery. The 49ers, who invested in White as a rotational pass rusher with upside, will be hoping for a full return to form as they look ahead to next season.
For now, though, the main concern is his well-being - and thankfully, all signs point to him being on the road to recovery.