A Connecticut police officer who suffered a 'mild anxiety attack' took the first ambulance that arrived at the scene of a shooting, delaying treatment for a man who later died, according to a state investigation.
Dyshan Best, 39, was shot in the back by police in Bridgeport on 31 March 2025 after he fled from officers while holding a gun. The state inspector general ruled the shooting justified, but raised concerns about the response after the incident.
The first ambulance arrived 14 minutes after the shooting at 6.02pm, but was used to transport officer Erin Perrotta, who had been involved in the foot chase. Paramedics reported Perrotta declined treatment, saying, 'I am fine, I just needed to get out of here.' Another officer described her as 'visibly hysterical.'
A second ambulance arrived at 6.12pm, and Best was admitted to hospital at 6.22pm—14 minutes after Perrotta. He died at 7.41pm from a gunshot wound that damaged his liver and right kidney. The report did not determine if the delay contributed to his death.
Best's niece, Tatiana Barrett, expressed anger and sadness, saying the family believes he could have survived if taken in the first ambulance. Bridgeport police said their internal affairs division would investigate, while officer Perrotta is on administrative leave for an unrelated matter.
