Pennsylvania police officer charged in fatal shooting of college student who went to wrong house
(Glenwood Pysher III watches Monday as pallbearers carry a casket containing the remains of his son Glenwood “Bubba” Pysher IV, who was killed by police in Pottstown, Pa.)
A Pennsylvania police officer has been charged with voluntary manslaughter after prosecutors say he fatally shot an unarmed 22-year-old college student who had mistakenly wandered to the wrong home following a night out with friends.
Upper Pottsgrove Township Police Cpl. Sean Farrell, 58, was charged Tuesday, Sept. 1, in the Aug. 23 death of Glenwood “Bubba” Pysher IV. The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office said its investigation determined the shooting was not a legally justified use of deadly force.
According to prosecutors, Pysher had spent several hours drinking with friends while celebrating a 21st birthday. Later that night, he attempted to walk roughly a half-mile to another friend’s home but got confused and ended up at the wrong house
The homeowners, believing someone was attempting to break into the house, called 911.
Farrell was the first officer to arrive. Prosecutors say body-camera footage shows him approaching the rear of the property with his handgun drawn and taking cover behind a vehicle. Pysher was on the rear patio, several feet from the back door.
Farrell ordered Pysher to show his hands and get on the ground. Investigators say Pysher raised his hands and began walking toward the officer.
The officer again ordered him to the ground before yelling, “Stop, or I’ll …” According to prosecutors, Farrell fired two shots before completing the warning. Both bullets struck Pysher in the chest. He was pronounced dead.
Pysher was approximately 17 to 20 feet from Farrell when the shots were fired, prosecutors said.
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Prosecutors: “Deadly Force Was Not Justified”
Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele said Pysher had no weapon, did not charge the officer and was not acting aggressively when he was shot.
Investigators also said Farrell had less-lethal options available, including a Taser and expandable baton, but went directly to his firearm.
The investigation found that Farrell later told another responding officer that Pysher had charged him while screaming and refusing to comply. However, prosecutors said the body-camera footage did not support that account.
Steele said the evidence did not establish malice or premeditation necessary for a murder charge, but prosecutors concluded the shooting met the legal standard for voluntary manslaughter.
Farrell surrendered to Montgomery County detectives Tuesday. He was arraigned and released on $75,000 bail, with an order to surrender his weapons. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 10.
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Family Searching for Answers
Pysher’s family has described the shooting as a tragic and preventable loss.
His father, Glen Pysher, previously said his son apparently believed he was at a friend’s house and had already contacted friends who were on their way to find him.
Pysher was preparing to begin his senior year at St. Elizabeth University in New Jersey, where he planned to play baseball. He hoped to become a high school history teacher and coach.
His father described him as kind-hearted and loving, while former teammates, coaches and friends have shared memories of how he helped others.
The family’s attorney thanked prosecutors for pursuing the case and said the family is seeking justice for what they characterized as reckless and preventable conduct.
The criminal case against Farrell remains pending, as the allegations against him have not been proven in court.
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(Sources: USA Today, AP News, CNN)
(Cover photo of Cpl. Sean Farrell: Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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