San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Keion White was shot in the ankle early Monday morning in San Francisco's Mission District after a verbal argument between two groups escalated into gunfire, authorities said.
Police said officers responded just after 4 a.m. to reports of a shooting at a business on Mission Street, where they found one man suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the lower leg.
He was taken to a local hospital with injuries that were described as non-life-threatening. The 49ers later identified the victim as White and said he underwent surgery on his ankle and is expected to recover, according to NBC News. The team called him a victim in the incident and said it would share more information when appropriate.
Investigators said a preliminary review shows a verbal dispute broke out between two groups inside a business before shots were fired by an unknown suspect. It was not immediately clear whether the shooting happened inside or outside the establishment, and police have not announced any arrests.
Read more: Former IRS Agent Charged With Killing Wife To Be With His Brazilian Au Pair Sobs In Court
Authorities said the case remains an open and active investigation and asked anyone with information to contact the San Francisco Police Department, CBS News reported.
The shooting came just hours after the 49ers played in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara. White, 27, joined San Francisco this season after a trade from the New England Patriots and recently completed his third NFL year.
Local reports said the incident occurred in connection with a late-night event in the Mission District, though police have not publicly confirmed details about the gathering.
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie said in a statement that any violent incident in the city is unacceptable and wished White a quick recovery while praising officers for their quick response. The 49ers urged respect for White's privacy as he recovers and reiterated that they are cooperating with law enforcement, as per ESPN.
