A Connecticut police officer who suffered a 'mild anxiety attack' commandeered the first ambulance that arrived at the scene of a police shooting, leaving the wounded man to wait an extra 10 minutes for transport to hospital. Dyshan Best, 39, later died from his injuries, according to a state investigation released this week.
The shooting occurred on 31 March 2025 in Bridgeport, Connecticut, after police responded to a report of a brawl involving about 30 people, some armed. Best, who was Black, fled from officers and was shot in the back. The state inspector general ruled the shooting justified, as Best had a gun in his hand.
The first ambulance arrived at 6.02pm, about 14 minutes after the shooting. However, at the urging of other officers, it was used to transport Officer Erin Perrotta, who had been involved in the foot chase. Paramedics reported that Perrotta declined treatment, saying, 'I am fine, I just needed to get out of here.' Another officer described her as 'visibly hysterical (crying and breathing rapidly) and had blood all over her uniform.'
A second ambulance arrived at 6.12pm. Best was admitted to hospital at 6.22pm, about 14 minutes after Perrotta arrived. He died at 7.41pm while undergoing treatment for a gunshot wound that damaged his liver and right kidney. The inspector general's report did not state whether 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. 'We were looking for justice. In our community, we don't know what justice looks like. We want justice for my uncle. We truly believe he was murdered,' she told the Associated Press.
The Bridgeport police department declined to comment on the ambulance incident but said its internal affairs division would investigate. Officer Perrotta is currently on administrative leave for an unrelated matter.
