Pennsylvania officer charged in death of student who knocked at wrong door
The police officer shot Glenwood Earl Pysher, 22, as he walked towards him with hands up, say prosecutors.
A police officer in Pennsylvania faces a voluntary manslaughter charge following the fatal shooting of an unarmed college student who mistakenly knocked on the wrong door after leaving a bar.
Upper Pottsgrove Police Cpl. Sean Farrell is accused of shooting 22-year-old Glenwood Earl Pysher. Body camera footage shows Pysher walking towards Farrell with his hands raised, as instructed by the officer.
The incident occurred in the early hours of August 23. Farrell, 58, responded to a call after Pysher, searching for friends, knocked on the wrong door, prompting the homeowner to contact police.
Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele stated at a news conference, "This is not a legal use of lethal force."
The investigation revealed that Pysher had been celebrating a friend's 21st birthday at several pubs earlier that evening. He later walked to what he believed was a friend's house to continue drinking, but arrived at an incorrect address.
Pysher attempted to open the door before sitting on the back porch to contact his friends. The homeowner then called 911. Farrell arrived while Pysher was on the rear patio, as detailed in the criminal complaint.
According to investigators, Farrell shouted, "Police, let me see your hands. Hands up, hands up now, drop to the ground."
Body camera footage shows Pysher raising his hands and walking towards Farrell, who again yelled, "Drop to the ground."
The criminal complaint states that Farrell said, "Stop or I'll…," before firing two shots, striking Pysher twice in the chest. Officials reported that Pysher was approximately 20 feet (6 meters) from Farrell when the shots were fired.
In a news release, the district attorney noted, "The investigation found that Cpl. Farrell had less-than-lethal options on his utility belt that he did not employ, including a Taser."
The criminal complaint also mentions that body camera video later captured Farrell telling another officer, "The guy [expletive] charged me, screaming and yelling and wouldn't get down on the ground." Prosecutors assert that this account is contradicted by the camera footage.
Farrell surrendered on Tuesday. His bail was set at $75,000 (£55,500), and his next court hearing is scheduled for September 10.
Last week, Pysher's parents described their son as "a very caring, loving kid" who was cherished by his community and was just days away from returning to college.