US police were prosecuted for fatally shooting a male student who knocked on the wrong door

The victim's family said the male student was mistaken for a thief after knocking on the door of a house he thought was a friend's house, and was shot and killed by the police even though he raised his hands.

At a press conference on September 2, Montgomery County prosecutor Kevin R. Steele announced that Sean Farrell, a veteran police officer from the Upper Pottsgrove Township Police Department, was indicted in connection with the death of 22-year-old Glenwood Pysher.

Farrell, 58, arrived at the scene in the early morning hours of August 23 after Pysher knocked on the wrong door while looking for friends, causing the homeowner to call police to report a break-in in progress. According to the charges, Farrell shot Pysher twice in the chest.

Citing images extracted from Farrell's body camera, prosecutor Steele said that at the time the two fatal shots were fired, Pysher raised his hands.

"He was unarmed. He did not rush toward the police or take any aggressive actions. He was not a threat to the homeowner who was inside," the prosecutor said.

According to Steele, after the shooting, Farrell told a co-worker Pysher rushed toward him while screaming and yelling. However, video from police body cameras does not show this.

Pysher's mother, Erin, said that before the shooting, the male student went out drinking at many bars with a group of friends to celebrate a friend's birthday. The group then decided to move the party to a friend's house, Pysher walked to the address he mistakenly thought was his friend's house.

"After he had a few drinks, my son walked in the dark at night. I guess he took the wrong road, took a wrong turn and went to the wrong house," Ms. Erin said.

Even though Pysher appeared to be intoxicated, he complied with Farrell's orders and kept his hands up at the time he was shot, the prosecutor said. Officials said Pysher was about 20 feet away from Farrell when he opened fire.

The investigation found that Farrell had non-lethal weapon options such as a stun gun on his belt but did not use it.

"Pysher did not attempt to flee nor did he commit a felony by force. This was not a lawful use of deadly force under Pennsylvania law," Mr. Steele said.

Farrell appeared in court on the charge of voluntary manslaughter on September 2, bail was set at $75,000.