A state investigation revealed that an ambulance arriving to assist a Black man shot by police was instead used for an officer experiencing anxiety, delaying the man's medical assistance.
A recently released state investigation found that Dyshan Best, a 39-year-old Black man shot by police in Bridgeport, Connecticut, had to wait for an ambulance while an officer experiencing a 'mild anxiety attack' took the first ambulance that arrived on the scene. The shooting incident occurred on 31 March 2025, when Best was shot in the back while attempting to flee from officers. The investigation concluded that the shooting was justified, as Best was armed and posed a threat to the pursuing officer's safety.
Despite the justification for the shooting, the delay in ambulance response raised serious concerns about the priorities of the responding officers. The first ambulance arrived approximately 14 minutes after the shooting, at 6:02 PM, but the officers on the scene decided to send that ambulance away with Officer Erin Perrotta instead of assisting Best. This decision resulted in Best suffering severe internal injuries and had serious implications for his chances of survival, as he was left waiting for medical assistance during a critical time.
The situation has sparked outrage and calls for accountability regarding police procedures and emergency response protocols. The incident not only highlights the tragic outcome of police encounters with individuals in distress but also underscores the need for reforms in how police officers and emergency services prioritize medical assistance in urgent circumstances. Questions remain about the adequacy of training provided to officers in such scenarios and the potential impact on community trust in law enforcement.
