San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Keion White was shot in the ankle early Monday in a Mission District nightclub following a dispute that involved rapper Lil Baby, authorities and multiple reports said.
The incident occurred around 4 a.m. at Dahlia’s, a bar and nightclub at 1799 Mission St., during what police described as a verbal altercation between two groups inside the venue. White, 27, was hosting a private party in a downstairs event space after attending Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara the previous day.
According to a police report cited by The San Francisco Standard and other outlets, members of Lil Baby’s entourage attempted to enter White’s private section, leading to an argument between the rapper, whose real name is Dominique Jones, and the player. A witness reported hearing multiple gunshots after stepping away to notify management and returned to find White wounded in the leg.
Topless women were sweeping up dollar bills when police entered the club to investigate the 4:06 a.m. shooting, the report said.
“As I entered, I saw numerous scantily clad females picking up dollar bills that were strewn all over the floor,” the police report says. “Some of the females were topless and appeared to have been adult entertainers.”
San Francisco police recovered 9mm and .45-caliber shell casings at the scene, along with surveillance footage and an abandoned cell phone. White was uncooperative when asked by investigators who fired the shots, police said. No arrests have been made, and no suspect has been publicly identified.
The 49ers issued a statement confirming White underwent surgery Monday evening for a non-life-threatening injury at a local hospital. The team described him as a victim of the shooting and said further updates would follow as appropriate. White, acquired by San Francisco from the New England Patriots in an October 2025 trade, recorded 12 tackles and 1.5 sacks in nine games last season, starting two.
Lil Baby had performed in San Francisco on Sunday evening, hours before the incident. Representatives for the Grammy-winning artist did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The shooting marks the second time in less than two years that a 49ers player has been wounded by gunfire in the city. In August 2024, rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was shot in the chest during an attempted robbery in Union Square but returned to play later that season. Authorities emphasized the circumstances differ, with White’s case stemming from a nightclub dispute rather than a random street crime.
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie called any violent incident unacceptable and expressed hopes for White’s quick recovery. He noted discussions with police and team leadership, praising officers’ rapid response.
Overall violent crime in the city declined in 2025, with shootings down 24% compared to the prior year, though the Mission District has seen higher concentrations of weapon-related incidents.
Police continue to investigate.
