The father of a 22-year-old college student shot dead by police in Pennsylvania has described the fatal mistake that led to his son's death. Glenwood Pysher IV had been on a night out with friends, visiting several bars on Sunday before the group split up to spend the night in two homes. His father, Glen Pysher, believes his son took a wrong turn in the woods and mistakenly tried to enter what he thought was his friend's house.
Fatal encounter on back porch
According to Glen Pysher, his son was unarmed, carrying only a phone and a backpack with clothing and a few beers. “He tried to open the doorknob and obviously startled the homeowner. From what we understand, he announced, ‘Hey! Open the door!’ because he thought he was at his friend's house,” the father said. Pysher then sat on the back porch and contacted his friends, who realized he was in the wrong place and began to find him. Minutes later, they saw police and emergency vehicles, assuming their friend would be arrested for public drunkenness. Instead, he was shot.
“At 12:32 a.m. my son was on a FaceTime call with his friends that were coming to get him,” Glen Pysher said. “We were told that my son was shot at 12:35 a.m.. So what kind of encounter could have ensued? What kind of communication could that officer have given him?”
Police response and investigation
A Montgomery County Department of Public Safety dispatch record shows police were dispatched at 12:30 a.m. and arrived at 12:34 a.m. following reports of a possible burglary, according to the Montgomery County district attorney's office. Upper Pottsgrove Township Police Chief Al Werner declined to release further information, including the names of officers involved, until the investigation is complete. The Montgomery County Detective Bureau is investigating the shooting, the district attorney's office said.
Plans cut short and community mourning
Pysher was about to begin his senior year at St. Elizabeth University in New Jersey, where he planned to play baseball. His goal was to become a high school history teacher and coach after graduation. His father described him as a kind-hearted, loving kid who could be a “knucklehead” but enjoyed helping others. Since the shooting, former teammates, coaches and others have shared memories with the family. “One young man in particular texted me and said, ‘I was going through a lot of really difficult things in my life. I was going the wrong way. And your son is the one who helped me put my life on track,’ ” the father said. “He will be sadly missed in his community.” A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise funds for the family.
