Connecticut officer suffering ‘mild anxiety attack’ took ambulance meant for dying man shot by police

A man who was shot by police had to wait 10 extra minutes for an ambulance and ultimately died after a Connecticut officer, suffering a “mild anxiety attack,” took the first one to arrive, according to a state investigation.

Dyshan Best, a 39-year-old truck driver, was shot in the back as he fled from Bridgeport officers with a gun in his hand on March 31, 2025, according to a report released by the state’s inspector general on Tuesday.

Cops had been called to the scene after someone reported a large brawl involving some people with guns.

After a witness pointed to two men in an SUV, Officer Erin Perrotta approached the passenger’s side of the vehicle and saw Best holding a bottle of alcohol, a vape pen, and a cellphone, body camera video showed.

After Perotta asked Best to exit the car for a pat-down, he exited but took off running.

While fleeing, Best pulled out a 9mm handgun — leading officer Yoon Heo, who was chasing after him, to eventually fire his gun and strike him once. Best was left bleeding with severe 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