Officer having ‘anxiety attack’ took ambulance sent for man dying from police shooting
A newly released state investigation says a man who was shot by police and later died had to wait about 10 additional minutes for medical transport because the first ambulance that arrived was used to take a police officer from the scene after she experienced what was described as a mild anxiety episode.
The man, Dyshan Best, 39, was shot from behind on March 31 of last year while running from officers in Bridgeport, Connecticut. According to a report made public Tuesday by the state’s inspector general, the officer who fired the shot was justified because Best was holding a firearm and the officer believed his life was in danger. However, the report also highlights questions about what occurred after the shooting, when Best was left with serious internal injuries.
The first ambulance requested for Best reached the scene at approximately 6:02 p.m., about 14 minutes after the shooting took place. Instead of transporting Best, officers asked paramedics to take Officer Erin Perrotta, who had taken part in the chase. The report states that fellow officers urged that she be transported due to her emotional condition.
Paramedics later reported that Perrotta ultimately declined treatment once she was inside the ambulance. According to the investigation, she said, “I am fine, I just needed to get out of here.” Another officer described her at the time as extremely distressed, crying heavily, breathing quickly, and covered in blood on her uniform.
A second ambulance arrived roughly ten minutes later, around 6:12 p.m. Hospital records show Best arrived at the hospital at about 6:22 p.m., which was approximately 14 minutes after Perrotta had already been taken there.
Doctors attempted to treat Best for a gunshot wound that severely damaged his liver and right kidney. He died at 7:41 p.m. during medical treatment.
Inspector General Eliot Prescott’s report did not determine whether the delay caused by waiting for the second ambulance had any impact on Best’s death.
Tatiana Barrett, one of Best’s nieces, told the Associated Press that the information revealed in the report has been painful for relatives and friends. She said the family believes he might have survived if he had been taken to the hospital in the first ambulance that arrived.
“Honestly it’s heartbreaking hearing all these details,” Barrett 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.”
Bridgeport police spokesperson Shawnna White declined to discuss the ambulance decision when asked Wednesday. She said the department’s Internal Affairs Division plans to conduct its own review of the situation.
White also said that Perrotta is currently on administrative leave because of a separate, unrelated matter but did not provide additional details.
Attempts to reach Perrotta, the office of Mayor Joe Ganim, Prescott’s office, the Bridgeport police union, and Darnell Crosland, the attorney representing Best’s family, were made Wednesday through phone and email messages.
The events began when a 911 caller reported a large fight involving around 30 people, with some individuals possibly armed. According to the report, a witness directed officers to two men sitting in an SUV and told them the pair had a gun.
Body camera footage shows Perrotta approaching the passenger side of the SUV and opening the door. Best was seated in the passenger seat holding a bottle of alcohol, a vape pen, and a cellphone. Perrotta asked him to step out of the vehicle so she could search him.
After getting out, Best suddenly ran, and officers chased him on foot.
During the pursuit, investigators say Best pulled out a 9 mm handgun. As he ran through an area filled with disabled vehicles, Officer Yoon Heo fired twice, striking Best once.
Prescott concluded that the shooting was justified based on video evidence showing Best pointing the gun behind him toward Heo while fleeing.
After he was shot, Best could be heard on video saying, “I got shot.” Heo responded, “You pulled a gun on me.” Best replied, “No I didn’t,” and Heo answered, “Yeah you did.”
Investigators said a handgun was recovered near Best at the scene. Following the incident, Crosland, the lawyer representing Best’s family, disputed that claim and argued that Best had only been holding a vape pen. Prescott wrote that body camera footage clearly shows Best holding a pistol.
Barrett said her uncle worked as a truck driver and had returned to Bridgeport, his hometown, to attend a friend’s funeral shortly before the incident occurred.
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