A Pennsylvania police corporal faces voluntary manslaughter charges after fatally shooting an unarmed 22-year-old college student who mistakenly knocked on the wrong door after a night out with friends. Body camera footage contradicts the officer’s account of the August 23 incident, prosecutors say.

Wrong House Turns Fatal

Glenwood Earl Pysher IV was walking to a friend’s house in Upper Pottsgrove after visiting a bar when he knocked on the wrong door. The homeowners reported a break-in. Pysher realized his mistake and sent his location to friends so they could pick him up. Before they arrived, Corporal Sean Farrell responded to the scene and found Pysher on the back patio. Within seconds of their encounter, Farrell fired two shots at the unarmed young man from 17 to 20 feet away.

Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele announced Tuesday that the shooting was unjustified. Body camera footage shows Pysher had his hands raised and was following commands when Farrell shot him. The officer began yelling commands for Pysher to put his hands up and get on the ground. As Pysher complied with hands raised, Farrell shouted partially through a warning before pulling the trigger twice, prosecutors said.

Officer’s Account Disputed By Video Evidence

Farrell later told another officer that Pysher had charged at him while screaming and refusing to get down. District Attorney Steele directly contradicted this account after reviewing the body camera footage. The video shows Pysher with his hands up, not acting aggressively or attempting to escape. Steele emphasized that Pysher posed no threat to the homeowners or the officer, noting he was inebriated but cooperative. The criminal complaint states Farrell was behind cover at a safe distance and had access to non-lethal options including a taser and baton, but went straight to his pistol.

Steele declared the use of force illegal, stating Pysher had not committed a forcible felony and was not trying to flee. The complaint alleges Farrell unreasonably used deadly force without considering less lethal means available to him.

Family Seeks Justice For Aspiring Student

Pysher’s parents described their son as a beloved community member who was scheduled to begin classes at Saint Elizabeth University in New Jersey the week after his death. His funeral was held the day before charges were announced. Family attorney Ken Fulginiti called the incident a totally innocuous situation that somehow resulted in the death of a young man. The family is demanding answers and accountability. District Attorney Steele said the parents are struggling to understand why their son was taken from them in what should have been a simple case of mistaken address.