Pennsylvania officer charged in death of student who knocked at wrong door

“Police, let me see your hands,” Farrell shouted, according to investigators. “Hands up, hands up now, drop to the ground.”

Body camera footage showed Pysher raise his hands in the air and walk towards Farrell, as the officer shouted again: “Drop to the ground.”

“Stop or I’ll…,” said Farrell before firing two shots, hitting Pysher twice in the chest, according to the criminal complaint.

Officials said Pysher was about 20ft (6m) away from Farrell when he opened fire.

“The investigation found that Cpl Farrell had less-than-lethal options on his utility belt that he did not employ, including a Taser,” the district attorney said in a news release.

According to the criminal complaint, body camera video showed Farrell later telling another officer: “The guy [expletive] charged me, screaming and yelling and wouldn’t get down on the ground.”

Prosecutors said that version of events is contradicted by the camera footage.

Farrell turned himself in on Tuesday. His bail was set at $75,000 (£55,500) and the next hearing is due on 10 September.

Pysher’s parents last week said their son was “a very caring, loving kid”, who was just days away from returning to college.