A state investigation reveals that a Connecticut police officer experiencing what was described as a “mild anxiety attack” commandeered the initial ambulance dispatched for a fatally wounded shooting victim, forcing the injured man to wait an additional 10 minutes for emergency medical transport.
The incident involved 39-year-old Dyshan Best, who sustained a gunshot wound to his back while running from Bridgeport police officers last year. According to a report made public Tuesday by the state’s inspector general, investigators determined the shooting was warranted since Best was armed and the pursuing officer had legitimate safety concerns.
However, the investigation highlighted troubling details about the emergency response following the March 31 incident, which left Best, an African American man, with life-threatening internal bleeding.
Emergency medical personnel reached the shooting location at 6:02 p.m., roughly 14 minutes following the gunfire. Instead of transporting Best to medical care, fellow officers convinced paramedics to use that ambulance for Officer Erin Perrotta, a white officer who had participated in the foot pursuit, according to the investigation.
Medical responders noted that Perrotta refused treatment during transport, stating according to the report: “I am fine, I just needed to get out of here.” A colleague described Perrotta as appearing “visibly hysterical (crying and breathing rapidly) and had blood all over her uniform” during the incident.
A second emergency vehicle didn’t reach the scene until approximately 6:12 p.m. Medical facility records indicate Best arrived for treatment at 6:22 p.m. — roughly 14 minutes following Perrotta’s hospital arrival, the investigation noted.
Best succumbed to his injuries at 7:41 p.m. while receiving treatment for the gunshot wound, which caused damage to his liver and right kidney.
Inspector General Eliot Prescott’s report stopped short of determining whether the ambulance delay played a role in Best’s death.
Tatiana Barrett, Best’s niece, shared with The Associated Press that the report’s findings have brought anger and grief to family members and friends. They maintain he might have survived with immediate ambulance transport.
“Honestly it’s heartbreaking hearing all these details,” she expressed. “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.”
Bridgeport police spokesperson Shawnna White refused to provide comment Wednesday regarding Perrotta’s use of the first ambulance. In an email response, she indicated the department’s Internal Affairs Division would launch its own review.
Perrotta is currently on administrative leave for an unrelated issue, which White did not specify.
Attempts to reach Perrotta, Mayor Joe Ganim’s office, Prescott’s office, the police union, and Darnell Crosland, the family’s attorney, were unsuccessful Wednesday.
The chain of events started when someone contacted 911 about a fight involving approximately 30 individuals, with reports that some were armed. A witness directed officers toward two men in an SUV, claiming they possessed a weapon, the report states.
Perrotta approached the vehicle’s passenger side and opened the door. Police body camera footage shows Best in the passenger seat holding an alcohol bottle, vape pen, and mobile phone. The video captures Perrotta requesting Best exit the SUV for a pat-down search. Best complies but then flees on foot with officers in pursuit.
While running, Best drew a 9mm pistol, investigators found. As he entered a lot containing disabled vehicles, pursuing Officer Yoon Heo discharged his weapon twice, with one bullet striking Best.
The inspector general determined the shooting was legally justified based on video evidence showing Best pointing his weapon backward toward Heo during the chase.
While injured on the ground, Best stated “I got shot,” captured on video. Heo responded “You pulled a gun on me,” which Best denied. Heo insisted “Yeah you did.” Prescott confirmed a pistol was recovered near Best at the scene.
Following the shooting, family attorney Crosland challenged claims that Best carried a gun, arguing he was holding a vape pen instead. Prescott stated police body camera footage definitively shows Best holding a firearm.
Barrett described her uncle as a truck driver who had returned to his Bridgeport hometown to attend a friend’s funeral.
