Montgomery County officer charged with voluntary manslaughter in fatal Upper Pottsgrove shooting
Corporal Sean Farrell was indicted for voluntary manslaughter after a body-camera video showed him shooting unarmed 22-year-old Glen Pysher, who had his hands raised, during an August 23 incident in Upper Pottsgrove Township.
A Montgomery County police corporal has been charged with voluntary manslaughter following the fatal shooting of 22-year-old Glen Pysher in Upper Pottsgrove Township on Aug. 23. District Attorney Kevin Steele announced the indictment Tuesday, saying investigators concluded the use of deadly force was not legally justified.
According to the DA, Pysher and friends had been drinking when he mistakenly approached a residence on Snyder Road, banged on the back door and prompted a 911 call. Corporal Sean Farrell arrived first, drew his service weapon, and positioned himself behind a red car. Body-worn camera footage shows Farrell ordering Pysher to raise his hands and lie down. The video also captures Pysher with his hands raised, continuing to walk toward the officer despite repeated commands. Farrell then shouted, "Stop, or I'll..." before firing two shots that struck Pysher in the chest.
The DA noted that Pysher was unarmed and that Farrell had non-lethal options, including a taser and an expandable baton, which were not employed. Steele said the victim was about 17 to 20 feet from the officer and posed no threat, making the shooting inconsistent with the criteria for lawful use of deadly force.
Farrell surrendered to Montgomery County detectives, was released on bail set at 10% of $75,000, and must turn over all weapons to the Pennsylvania State Police before release. > "As the District Attorney, it is my role under the law to evaluate the totality of the circumstances of any fatal shooting by police and to determine whether that use of lethal force was justified under the law," Steele said.
The DA’s office also indicated that he had spoken with Pysher's family, offering condolences for their loss.