In an unsettling echo of a previous incident involving another 49ers player, defensive lineman Keion White was shot early Monday morning at a Mission District nightclub, marking the second time in less than two years that a 49ers player has become a shooting victim in San Francisco. The incident occurred just hours after Super Bowl LX concluded in Santa Clara.
White, 27, was shot in the ankle around 4 a.m. at Dahlia's nightclub at 1799 Mission Street following an argument involving rapper Lil Baby and his entourage. The San Francisco Police Department responded to reports of gunfire at the venue, which features multiple floors including a private downstairs event space where the shooting took place.
The altercation reportedly began when members of rapper Dominique Jones' (Lil Baby's) entourage attempted to enter White's private party on a separate floor of the venue, according to The San Francisco Standard. A witness heard multiple gunshots and discovered White suffering from a gunshot wound to his leg. Police found a 9mm shell casing and a .45-caliber casing near the scene, and investigators pulled surveillance footage while also recovering an abandoned cell phone on the steps leading to the downstairs event.
When questioned by police about who shot him, White was uncooperative, according to The Standard. The 49ers confirmed White underwent surgery Monday evening at a local hospital for what the team described as non-life-threatening injuries.
A Troubling Pattern
This shooting represents the second time in less than two years that a 49ers player has been shot in San Francisco. In August 2024, rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was shot in the chest during a botched robbery attempt in Union Square, just blocks from where he was heading to an autograph signing event. Pearsall was targeted for his Rolex watch by a 17-year-old from Tracy, and remarkably returned to play later that season, according to NBC News.
The similarities between the incidents are striking, though the circumstances differ. While Pearsall was the victim of a random street robbery in broad daylight, White's shooting occurred during what appears to have been a dispute at a private nightclub event.
The Venue and Sunday's Events
Dahlia Lounge, described on its website as an "exquisite lounge bar" in the Mission District, features three distinct spaces that can accommodate up to 200 people. The venue specializes in tequila and mezcal and regularly hosts live music and DJ events. The multi-level layout includes a main bar, the Tulum Room, and an underground dance floor, each with its own entrance.
Lil Baby had performed in San Francisco on Sunday evening, the same day as Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, according to event listings. White had attended the Super Bowl, posting photos from the game on his Instagram account. Representatives for the Grammy-winning Atlanta rapper did not immediately respond to requests for comment from multiple outlets.
White's Career and Future Impact
White was acquired by the 49ers from the New England Patriots on October 29, 2025, in exchange for a swap of late-round draft picks. The Patriots had selected him in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Georgia Tech. In nine games with the 49ers during the 2025 season, White recorded 12 tackles and 1.5 sacks while starting two games, according to The San Francisco Chronicle.
"He's a really good player, but he doesn't quite fit with what (the Patriots) were doing," 49ers general manager John Lynch said after the trade, as reported by the Chronicle. "The cool thing about Keion — he's got this year and he's got next year. So it's not just a rental." White is signed through 2026 and was expected to be part of the team's defensive line rotation next season.
How the ankle injury and required surgery will affect White's 2026 season remains unclear, though team representatives indicated his injuries are not life-threatening.
Crime Context in San Francisco
The shooting comes during a period of significant crime reduction in San Francisco. According to The San Francisco Standard, overall crime fell dramatically in 2025, with total incidents declining more than 25% from the previous year. The city recorded 27,321 crimes through the end of 2025, versus 36,633 during the same period in 2024.
Shootings specifically were down 24% in 2025, to 77 incidents compared to 101 in 2024, with 97 victims and 19 deaths. Robberies saw the most dramatic decline among violent crimes, plummeting 44.2% to 3,011 incidents. However, assaults bucked the trend, rising 28.6% to 2,046 incidents.
Despite these overall improvements, the Mission District has consistently appeared among neighborhoods with higher concentrations of weapon-related incidents, according to recent crime data analysis.
Investigation Continues
"A preliminary investigation revealed a verbal altercation occurred between two groups inside a business," the San Francisco Police Department said in a statement, as reported by SFGATE. "The victim was injured when shots were fired by an unknown suspect."
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie addressed the incident in a statement: "Any violent incident in our city is unacceptable, and I'm hoping Keion recovers quickly," he said, according to the Chronicle. "I've spoken with SFPD and 49ers leadership — we are all grateful to our SFPD officers for their quick response."
The SFPD's Strategic Investigation Unit is handling the case. No arrests have been made as of Monday evening, and police are asking anyone with information to contact SFPD at 415-575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411 beginning the message with SFPD.
