A Pennsylvania police officer has been charged with voluntary manslaughter in connection with the fatal shooting of a 22-year-old college student on August 23. Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele announced Tuesday that Upper Pottsgrove Police Cpl. Sean Farrell, 58, faces charges in the death of Glenwood Earl Pysher IV.
Steele stated that the investigation, which included reviewing footage from Farrell's body-worn camera, found that the officer possessed less-than-lethal options, such as a Taser, which he did not employ. According to the district attorney's office, Farrell was at a safe distance behind a car during the encounter, and Pysher had his hands in the air and was unarmed. "Mr. Pysher was not a threat. This is not a legal use of deadly force, leading to the charge of Voluntary Manslaughter," Steele said in a news release.
Farrell surrendered to the Montgomery County Detectives on Tuesday and was released on $75,000 bail. A condition of his release requires him to surrender all weapons to state police. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 10.
The incident began when a resident called 911 to report someone attempting to break into the back door of their home. Farrell was the first officer on the scene. Body-camera footage shows Farrell approaching the back door of the residence with his gun drawn. He ordered Pysher, who was on the patio near the door, to show his hands and drop to the ground. Pysher is seen on the video raising his hands and walking toward the officer.
As Pysher continued to walk towards him, Farrell issued commands again, including "Stop or I'll…" before firing two shots, hitting Pysher twice in the chest. Pysher was reportedly 17 to 20 feet from the officer at the time of the shooting.
Investigators determined that Pysher had been out celebrating a friend's birthday and, after leaving a bar, went to what he believed was his friend's house. He had intended to continue drinking there but ended up at the wrong residence. Pysher's father stated that his son may have tried to open the door, startling the homeowner, and then sat on the back porch to contact his friends, who then realized he was at the incorrect address.
An attorney for Pysher's family expressed gratitude to the district attorney's office and anticipation for justice, calling the incident "horribly tragic, preventable and reckless conduct."