🚨 PENNSYLVANIA POLICE OFFICER CHARGED IN FATAL SHOOTING OF NJ COLLEGE ATHLETE 🚔
Pennsylvania Corporal Sean Farrell faces voluntary manslaughter charges for the fatal shooting of Glenwood Pysher, a New Jersey college athlete. Prosecutors say the unarmed twenty-two-year-old was shot while approaching the officer after mistakenly entering the wrong backyard in August.
📍 UPPER POTTSGROVE, PA — A Pennsylvania police officer has been criminally charged in connection with the fatal shooting of a 22-year-old New Jersey college baseball player, authorities announced Tuesday.
Upper Pottsgrove Police Corporal Sean Farrell, 58, has been charged with voluntary manslaughter in the August 23 shooting death of Glenwood “Bubba” Pysher, a New Jersey college athlete who was preparing to attend Saint Elizabeth University in Morris Township.
According to the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, the incident began around 12:30 p.m. when Pysher mistakenly entered the rear patio of the wrong residence while attempting to visit a friend following a birthday celebration.
The homeowners called 9-1-1 and reported a person they believed was attempting to break into the residence.
Farrell was the first officer to arrive. Investigators said his body-worn camera captured him approaching the residence with his department-issued firearm drawn.
Authorities said Farrell encountered Pysher standing on the home’s patio several feet from the rear door. Farrell reportedly ordered Pysher to show his hands and get on the ground.
Investigators said Pysher raised his hands and began walking toward Farrell.
According to prosecutors, Farrell continued ordering Pysher to the ground before firing two shots, striking Pysher in the chest from approximately 20 feet away.
🚨 Investigators said no firearm or other weapon was recovered from the scene. Two spent cartridge casings from Farrell’s department-issued firearm were reportedly located.
The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office said investigators also determined that Farrell had less-lethal options available, including a Taser, which prosecutors said he did not deploy.
Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele said investigators concluded that Pysher was not armed or posing a threat at the time of the shooting, leading prosecutors to determine that the use of deadly force was not legally justified.
The county coroner determined Pysher’s cause of death was homicide.
Farrell turned himself in to Montgomery County detectives Tuesday and is awaiting arraignment. Bail and a preliminary hearing are expected to be addressed during the court proceedings.
⚾ Pysher was a 2023 graduate of Upper Pottsgrove High School and a standout baseball player. He had previously played college baseball at Francis Marion University in South Carolina and Northampton Community College before preparing to continue his education and baseball career at Saint Elizabeth University.
Saint Elizabeth University said its community was “heartbroken” over Pysher’s death, describing him as a promising young athlete and scholar whose life was cut short.
A GoFundMe campaign established for the Pysher family had raised more than $30,000 from over 500 donors as of Tuesday, according to the information provided.
⚖️ The charges are allegations, and Farrell is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
📸 Photo Credit: Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office
📰 Garden State News Network will continue to follow this developing case as additional information becomes available.