Wrong door, fatal encounter: Pennsylvania student shot by police

A 22-year-old college student was fatally shot by police in Pennsylvania over the weekend after he mistakenly knocked on the wrong door of a home, prompting his family to demand answers over the circumstances surrounding his death, CBS News reports.

Glenn Pysher, known as Bubba to family and friends, had spent August 22 night celebrating with friends at a local bar in Upper Pottsgrove, Pennsylvania. When the group decided to continue the evening at a nearby house, Pysher walked there alone but mistakenly went to the wrong home.

His mother, Erin Pysher, said she believes her son became “mixed up” because the house was located in a wooded area.

The homeowners called 911 to report what they believed was an attempted break-in. Police arrived early August 23 and found Pysher at the back of the property.

“So he probably was knocking, 'Hey, let me in, where are you at, what are you doing?' And the homeowners thought he was trying to break into the house and called the cops,” his mother said, describing what she believes happened.

According to the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, an encounter followed, during which Pysher was shot and killed. The Upper Pottsgrove Police Department has not released details about the shooting but said the incident remains under investigation.

“At 12:32, we have the call log, he was talking on the phone with his friends,” his mother said. “By 12:35, I believe, the cops had already shown up and shot him.”

“No Taser. No nothing. Automatic deadly force,” she said, adding that the family had not received any information from the police department. The Montgomery County Detective Bureau did not respond to CBS News’ request for comment.

Pysher’s father, Glenwood Pysher, said the family wants authorities to provide a clear account of what happened.

“I just want things to be done right. I want to know the facts,” he said.

Pysher was a baseball enthusiast and had recently transferred to Saint Elizabeth University in Florham Park, New Jersey, where he was preparing to continue his studies and play baseball.

“I was going to take him to school and help him set up his dorm room. He was supposed to start classes on Monday,” his mother said. “It's unreal. I don't even know how to explain it. It's a feeling of so much sadness in my heart. I can't — it's hard to breathe.”

His father remembered him as a well-liked young man who posed no threat to others.

“He was such a good kid,” Glenwood Pysher said. “The community here loved him, and nobody can believe this happened to this young man who wouldn't hurt a fly.”

By Vafa Guliyeva