SAN FRANCISCO — The confetti from the Seattle Seahawks’ Super Bowl LX victory had barely settled when chaos erupted in the Mission District. San Francisco 49ers defensive end Keion White is recovering today after being shot in the leg early Monday morning outside the Dahlia Lounge. The shooting followed a heated confrontation with rapper Lil Baby and his entourage, turning a private post-game celebration into a crime scene.
The incident kicked off around 4:00 AM Monday, just hours after the Seahawks claimed the Lombardi Trophy at Levi’s Stadium. White, 27, was hosting a private event in the downstairs VIP section of the Dahlia Lounge when Lil Baby (Dominique Jones) and his crew arrived.
Witnesses report that the rapper’s entourage attempted to bypass security to enter White’s exclusive party but were denied entry. The rejection sparked a verbal argument that quickly escalated. According to police reports, the dispute spilled outside, where shots rang out. White took a bullet to the ankle, while the shooter fled the scene into the foggy San Francisco morning.
The scene described by bystanders was frantic. As police arrived, the club’s party atmosphere clashed violently with the emergency response—officers found shell casings on the floor amidst scattered dollar bills from the night’s festivities.
White was rushed to a local hospital and underwent surgery on Monday afternoon. The 49ers organization confirmed the procedure was successful and emphasized that the injury is not career-threatening.
The defensive end, who joined the 49ers in a mid-season trade from the Patriots in October 2025, has been a key rotational piece for San Francisco’s defensive front. While he refused to identify the shooter to investigators—sticking to a code of silence common in such high-profile disputes—the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) has recovered 9mm and .45-caliber casings from the scene.
“Keion White was a victim of a shooting and sustained a bullet wound to his ankle… We will provide further updates when appropriate.” — San Francisco 49ers Official Statement
News of the shooting rippled through the NFL immediately. Chicago Bears safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson didn’t hesitate to voice his opinion. In a post on X (formerly Twitter) that was quickly deleted, the outspoken safety appeared to criticize the rapper’s involvement in the escalation, adding fuel to the social media firestorm surrounding the incident.
For the 49ers, this is a sobering start to the offseason. After watching their rivals, the Seahawks, lift the trophy in their home stadium, they now face the reality of a recovering player and a police investigation. White is expected to make a full recovery in time for the 2026 training camp, but the investigation remains open with no suspects currently in custody. Lil Baby has not been charged, and his representatives have yet to comment.
