A delay in medical response contributed to the death of a man who was shot by police, as a Connecticut police officer experiencing a “mild anxiety attack” took the first ambulance that arrived, according to a state inquiry.
The incident involved 39-year-old truck driver Dyshan Best, who was shot in the back on March 31, 2025, while fleeing from Bridgeport police officers with a firearm in his possession, as detailed in a report by the state’s inspector general released on Tuesday.
Officers were dispatched to the area following a report of a large altercation involving individuals allegedly armed with guns.
Upon arrival, a witness directed police to two men inside an SUV. Officer Erin Perrotta approached the vehicle’s passenger side and observed Best holding a bottle of alcohol, a vape pen, and a cellphone, as captured by body camera footage.
Officer Perrotta instructed Best to step out of the car for a search. Complying initially, Best then sprinted away.
While evading capture, Best brandished a 9mm handgun, prompting officer Yoon Heo, who was in pursuit, to discharge his weapon, hitting Best once. The gunshot left Best with critical internal injuries.
While the state investigation ultimately determined the shooting was justified, it also revealed that the first ambulance called at 6:02 p.m. to take Best to the hospital was ultimately used to transport Perotta, who had been involved in the foot chase.
Perrotta declined treatment in the ambulance, saying, “I am fine, I just needed to get out of here,” according to the report.
Another officer described Perrotta at the time as “visibly hysterical (crying and breathing rapidly) and had blood all over her uniform,” the report said.
Best was ultimately transported from the scene at 6:12 p.m. and arrived 10 minutes later at the hospital — 14 minutes after Perotta was taken in, the report revealed.
He died just over an hour later as he was undergoing treatment for the gunshot wound that pierced his liver and right kidney, the report said.
The state’s inspector general ultimately ruled that the shooting of Best, a black man, was justified because he had pointed his gun backward at Heo as he ran, the report said.
The report did not definitively determine whether the delay in medical care contributed to Best’s death.
But his loved ones believe the delay may have been a factor.
Best’s niece, Tatiana Barrett, told the Associated Press that the truck driver’s friends and family believe he had a chance of surviving if he had been taken to the hospital in the first ambulance.
“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.”
After the fatal shooting, the family’s lawyer, Darnell Crosland, disputed that Best was wielding a gun when he was shot and argued that he was actually holding a vape pen.
Inspector General Eliot Prescot, however, said body camera video clearly showed Best holding a pistol.
After shots rang out, Best said, “I got shot,” the videos show. Heo responds, “You pulled a gun on me,” but Best says, “No, I didn’t.” Heo then responds, “Yeah, you did.” Prescott said a handgun was found near Best at the scene.
Perotta is currently out on administrative leave for an unrelated matter, Shawnna White, a spokesperson for the Bridgeport police, told the Associated Press.
The Post has contacted the Bridgeport Police Department for comment.
With Post wires
