Officer's Anxiety Attack Diverts Ambulance from Shooting Victim in Bridgeport
A newly released state investigation in Connecticut has uncovered a troubling incident where a man shot by police had to wait an additional 10 minutes for an ambulance after the first one was used to transport an officer experiencing a mild anxiety attack. The report, issued by the inspector general, details the events following the shooting of Dyshan Best, 39, in Bridgeport last year, which has sparked outrage and questions about emergency response protocols.
Shooting and Aftermath Details
Dyshan Best was shot in the back on March 31, 2025, as he fled from officers during a foot chase in Bridgeport. The inspector general's report concluded that the shooting was justified, citing that Best had a gun in his hand and the pursuing officer feared for his safety. However, the focus of the investigation shifted to the critical moments after the shooting, which left Best, who was Black, with severe internal injuries and bleeding profusely.
The first ambulance arrived at the scene at 6:02 p.m., approximately 14 minutes after the shooting. Instead of transporting Best to the hospital, paramedics were directed by other officers to take Officer Erin Perrotta, who had been involved in the chase. According to the report, Perrotta was described as visibly hysterical, crying, breathing rapidly, and covered in blood, though she declined treatment in the ambulance, stating, "I am fine, I just needed to get out of here."
Delay and Consequences
A second ambulance arrived at about 6:12 p.m., and Best was finally brought to the hospital at 6:22 p.m. Hospital records indicate that Perrotta had already arrived 14 minutes earlier. Best died at 7:41 p.m. while undergoing treatment for a gunshot wound that damaged his liver and right kidney. The report did not determine whether the 10-minute delay contributed to his death, but it has raised significant concerns about the prioritization of medical care in such emergencies.
Tatiana Barrett, one of Best's nieces, expressed the family's anguish in an interview with the Associated Press. "Honestly it's heartbreaking hearing all these details," she said. "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." The family believes Best might have survived if he had been taken in the first ambulance.
Ongoing Investigations and Reactions
Bridgeport police spokesperson Shawnna White declined to comment on Perrotta taking the first ambulance, noting that the department's internal affairs division will conduct its own investigation. Perrotta is currently on administrative leave for an unrelated matter, which White did not disclose. Attempts to reach Perrotta, Mayor Joe Ganim's office, the inspector general's office, the police union, and Darnell Crosland, a lawyer for Best's family, were unsuccessful as of Wednesday.
The incident began with a 911 call reporting a brawl involving about 30 people, some armed, leading to the chaotic scene that resulted in Best's shooting. This case highlights broader issues in policing and emergency response, particularly in communities of color, where trust in law enforcement is often strained.
As investigations continue, the report underscores the need for clear protocols in crisis situations to ensure that medical resources are allocated based on urgency and need, rather than status or affiliation. The outcome of these probes may influence future policies and training for police and emergency services in Connecticut and beyond.
