Pennsylvania police Cpl. Sean Farrell has been charged with voluntary manslaughter after authorities say he fatally shot 22-year-old Glenwood “Bubba” Pysher, who mistakenly went to the wrong house.
According to Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele, investigators determined that the deadly shooting was not justified after reviewing Farrell’s body-camera footage and examining the circumstances surrounding the encounter.
The incident unfolded around 12:30 a.m. on August 23 when police received a 911 call about a possible break-in at a home on Snyder Road in Upper Pottsgrove Township.
But investigators say Pysher wasn’t there to burglarize the home.
Pysher had reportedly been out with friends celebrating a birthday and later decided to walk to another friend’s house. At some point, he became confused and ended up at the wrong residence. The homeowners, believing someone was attempting to break into their home, called police.
Farrell was the first officer to arrive.
According to prosecutors, body-camera footage shows Farrell approaching the property with his firearm drawn before encountering Pysher on the back patio.
Farrell reportedly ordered Pysher to show his hands and get on the ground.
Investigators say Pysher raised his hands and walked toward the officer.
Then things escalated in seconds.
According to the criminal complaint, Farrell yelled for Pysher to stop and get down. Farrell then reportedly began saying, “Stop or I’ll—” before firing two shots.
Both bullets struck Pysher in the chest.
He died from his injuries.
Prosecutors say Pysher was approximately 17 to 20 feet away from Farrell when the shots were fired and was not armed. Investigators also determined Farrell was positioned behind a vehicle, giving him some distance and cover during the encounter.
District Attorney Steele said Farrell had other options available, including a Taser, but did not use them.
“The victim had his hands in the air and did not possess any type of weapon,” Steele said, according to authorities. “Mr. Pysher was not a threat.”
Perhaps one of the most significant details investigators revealed involves what Farrell allegedly said immediately after the shooting.
Authorities say body-camera footage captured Farrell telling another officer that Pysher had “charged” at him while screaming and refusing to get down.
However, prosecutors say the video did not support that account.
According to Steele, the footage showed Pysher with his hands raised and did not show him acting aggressively or charging the officer.
Pysher’s death has devastated his family and friends.
The 22-year-old was preparing to begin his senior year at Saint Elizabeth University in New Jersey, where he was expected to continue playing baseball. His family said he had plans to become a teacher and baseball coach.
Instead, prosecutors say a simple mistake involving the wrong address ended with him being shot and killed.
Farrell turned himself in to Montgomery County detectives on September 1 after prosecutors announced the charge. His bail was set at $75,000, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 10.
The case is now headed into the criminal court system, where the evidence surrounding the fatal encounter will be examined further.
For Pysher’s family, however, no court date can change the fact that their 22-year-old son is gone.
What began as a late-night mistake at the wrong house has now become a major police accountability case in Pennsylvania.
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