An Upper Pottsgrove, Pennsylvania police officer faces charges of voluntary manslaughter after the fatal shooting of a college student. On August 23, Cpl. Sean Farrell allegedly shot 22-year-old Glenwood Earl Pysher IV, who mistakenly knocked on the wrong door after a night out with friends. Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele announced the charges on Tuesday, stating the shooting was unjustified.
Pysher had been at a bar and intended to visit a friend’s house, but ended up at the wrong address. The homeowners reported an attempted break-in. Pysher sent a picture to his friends, who realized he was at the wrong place and planned to retrieve him. However, before his friends arrived, Farrell encountered Pysher on the back patio.
According to Steele and the criminal complaint, Pysher was unarmed. Despite having a taser and baton, Farrell immediately drew his pistol. Body camera footage revealed Farrell ordered Pysher to raise his hands and lie down. Pysher complied, raising his hands and walking towards Farrell. Farrell repeated his commands and then shot Pysher twice before completing his warning. Pysher was 17-20 feet away at the time, per the complaint.
Body camera video shows Farrell later claimed, “The guy charged me, screaming and yelling and wouldn’t get down.” However, Steele refuted this narrative after reviewing the footage. Steele explained, “The young man was compliant, hand up, and unarmed. He posed no threat and followed commands.” Pysher was not attempting to flee or engage in aggressive behavior, according to Steele.
The complaint charges that Farrell used deadly force without considering less lethal options, even though he was at a safe distance behind cover as Pysher approached with hands up.
Pysher, who planned to attend Saint Elizabeth University in New Jersey, was described by his parents as a beloved member of the community. They expressed deep confusion and grief over their son’s death. Farrell surrendered to Montgomery County detectives and is expected to be arraigned later Tuesday.
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