San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Keion White was shot in the ankle early Monday outside a Mission District nightclub hours after the Super Bowl, authorities and the team said, and investigators said they were still looking for the person who fired the shots.
The shooting added a jarring note to a weekend that drew big crowds to the Bay Area for Super Bowl 60 at Levi’s Stadium in nearby Santa Clara. Police have not announced an arrest or a suspect description, and they have released few details about what happened outside the business. The 49ers said White’s injury was not life-threatening and that he underwent surgery, but the team did not give a timetable for his return.
San Francisco police officers responded just after 4 a.m. Monday to a report of a shooting on the 1700 block of Mission Street, officials said. Police found a victim with an apparent gunshot wound and provided aid until paramedics arrived, then the victim was taken to a local hospital. The 49ers later confirmed the injured person was White and said he had a bullet wound to his ankle. In a brief statement released by the club, the team said White was “a victim of a shooting” and that it would share further updates when appropriate.
Police said their early investigation found a verbal altercation between two groups inside a business before shots were fired by an unknown suspect. Officers have not said what started the argument, how many shots were fired, or whether the gunman was part of one of the groups involved. They also have not said whether anyone else was hurt. The department said the case remained under investigation and described the information released so far as preliminary. By late Tuesday, officials had not said whether detectives had recovered a weapon, surveillance video, or shell casings from the scene.
Several reports tied the shooting to a private event at Dahlia’s, a bar and nightclub at 1799 Mission St., where White was said to be hosting a party connected to Super Bowl weekend. Those reports said rapper Lil Baby, whose given name is Dominique Jones, was present and that an argument involving people in his entourage unfolded as they tried to enter the private gathering. Police have not publicly confirmed the rapper’s role, if any, and no one has been charged. A witness account described hearing gunfire during the confrontation and then seeing White injured, but investigators have not said whether they consider that account verified.
White, 27, joined the 49ers during the 2025 season after a trade from the New England Patriots, and he finished his third NFL season this winter. The Super Bowl ended Sunday night in Santa Clara, and celebrations and private parties carried on into Monday morning across San Francisco. The shooting occurred in the Mission District, a busy nightlife area with bars, clubs, and late-night foot traffic. The incident also raised fresh concerns for the 49ers and the city because it was the second time in about 18 months that a San Francisco player has been shot in the city.
In August 2024, 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was shot in the chest during an attempted robbery near Union Square, and he returned to play less than two months later. In White’s case, the team said the injury was not life-threatening, and later reports said the surgery was successful. Still, the shooting adds uncertainty to the 49ers’ offseason plans and puts a new spotlight on security for players during high-profile weekends. The NFL and teams regularly coordinate on security during major events, but authorities have not said what security was in place at the party White attended or who controlled entry to the gathering.
Investigators have not said whether White has been able to help them identify a shooter or whether he recognized anyone involved in the altercation. Police have also not said whether the gunfire happened inside the business, outside on the sidewalk, or in the street. The department’s Strategic Investigation Unit was listed as handling the case, and officials said they were continuing to interview witnesses and review leads. Because no arrest has been announced, investigators could still be seeking search warrants for phones, video systems, and other records tied to the location and the people present.
Outside the club area, residents and business owners described a familiar pattern after big events: packed streets, private parties, and a rush of people leaving venues at the same time. Some said the timing of the shooting, just after 4 a.m., matched the moment when tensions can flare as crowds thin and rides arrive. Others said the neighborhood has cameras on many storefronts and corners, and they expected detectives would move quickly to trace the shooter’s path. The 49ers did not comment on the reported presence of entertainers at the party, focusing instead on White’s medical status and the investigation.
As of Tuesday night, police said no arrests had been made and the suspect remained unknown. Officials said they planned to release more information as it becomes available, and the next milestone is expected to be an update on whether investigators have identified a suspect or recovered evidence that clarifies who fired the shots outside the Mission Street business.
Author note: Last updated February 11, 2026.