UPPER POTTSGROVE TOWNSHIP, PA — DelawareValleyNews.com – An Upper Pottsgrove police officer told a fellow officer that a 22-year-old man charged at him while screaming and yelling moments before he fatally shot him, but investigators say the officer’s body-worn camera shows a different sequence of events.
Cpl. Sean Farrell, 58, is charged with voluntary manslaughter in the Aug. 23 shooting death of Glenwood Earl Pysher IV.
According to the criminal complaint and affidavit of probable cause, Farrell’s body camera shows Pysher walking toward the officer with his hands raised before Farrell fired twice, striking him in the chest.
Investigators said Pysher was unarmed and approximately 17 to 20 feet from Farrell when he was shot.
The shooting occurred after Upper Pottsgrove police were dispatched at 12:29 a.m. to a home on Snyder Road for a report of an unknown man possibly attempting to break into the residence.
The homeowner told a 911 dispatcher that a young man was on his rear patio. The homeowner, who remained inside with his wife and armed himself with a knife, also told the dispatcher he did not believe the man outside had a weapon. Farrell was the first officer to arrive.
Investigators said Farrell’s body camera shows him walking down the driveway with his department-issued handgun drawn and using a weapon-mounted light. Farrell, who was also carrying a Taser and expandable baton, took a position behind a vehicle in the driveway.
Farrell then spotted Pysher standing on the rear patio.
“Police, let me see your hands,” Farrell said, according to the affidavit.
Farrell ordered Pysher to raise his hands and get on the ground. Pysher raised his hands but did not get on the ground and instead began walking toward Farrell, investigators said.
Farrell repeatedly ordered Pysher to get down.
As Pysher continued walking toward him, Farrell began another command, saying, “Stop or I’ll—” before firing his handgun twice, according to investigators.
Both rounds struck Pysher in the chest. He fell to the ground and began bleeding heavily.
Farrell’s backup officer arrived immediately after the shooting.
According to the affidavit, Farrell told the officer that Pysher had charged him while screaming and yelling and refusing to get on the ground.
Montgomery County detectives reviewed the body-camera footage and said it did not show Pysher charging Farrell or screaming and yelling before he was shot.
Investigators said Pysher instead approached Farrell with his hands raised.
Authorities also said no weapon was found on Pysher or in the area where he was shot.
Detectives investigating the shooting determined Pysher had spent the evening with friends celebrating a 21st birthday, including visits to two Pottstown-area bars.
After the group returned to a residence, Pysher decided to walk approximately a half-mile to another friend’s home to continue the evening.
Investigators said Pysher apparently became confused or disoriented and mistakenly ended up at the Snyder Road residence.
A friend told detectives that Pysher appeared intoxicated and confused about his surroundings during phone calls and text messages. Pysher also reportedly sent a Snapchat video showing himself on a back porch while apparently believing he was at his friend’s home.
His friends recognized that he was at the wrong house.
Pysher shared his location so they could pick him up, according to investigators. Farrell arrived before the friends reached him.
Pennsylvania law permits police officers to use deadly force under certain circumstances, including when an officer reasonably believes it is necessary to prevent death or serious bodily injury.
Montgomery County detectives concluded those circumstances were not present in the encounter with Pysher.
Investigators said Farrell was behind cover and at a safe distance as Pysher approached with his hands raised. They said Pysher was unarmed, made no threats or aggressive movements and was not resisting or attempting to escape.
Detectives also noted that Farrell had less-lethal options available.
Based on the body-camera footage and other evidence gathered during the investigation, detectives concluded Farrell’s use of deadly force was unreasonable.
The body-camera recording is likely to become a central piece of evidence as the case moves through the courts.
Farrell’s statement immediately after the shooting described Pysher as charging at him while screaming and yelling. Investigators say the video does not show that.
The discrepancy does not establish why Farrell described the encounter differently. Issues involving an officer’s perception, memory and response during a rapidly developing encounter could become part of the court proceedings.
But prosecutors have made the difference between Farrell’s description and what investigators say the camera recorded a significant part of their case.
Editors Note: criminal charges and any reporting thereof, are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law. Read the charges and allegations below.