Bridgeport Police Shooting Victim Waited 10 Extra Minutes for Ambulance

State investigation raises questions about officer's priority in seeking medical care over victim

Mar. 12, 2026 at 10:04pm

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A state investigation into a deadly police shooting in Bridgeport, Connecticut has revealed that the victim, Dyshan Best, waited an extra 10 minutes for a second ambulance to arrive after the first one was used to transport an officer who was having an anxiety attack. Best, 39, died at the hospital after being fatally shot by police during a foot chase.

Why it matters

The report has raised concerns about the police department's handling of the medical response and whether Best's life could have been saved if he had received prompt medical attention. It also highlights ongoing tensions between law enforcement and the community regarding use of force incidents.

The details

According to the state inspector general's report, the fatal shooting of Dyshan Best was deemed justified because he had a gun in his hand as he ran from police. However, Best's family remains skeptical, saying he only had a vape pen, phone and bottle of alcohol on him. The report found that the first ambulance was used to transport Officer Erin Perrotta to the hospital for an anxiety attack, leaving Best to wait 10 minutes for a second ambulance to arrive and treat him.

  • The fatal shooting of Dyshan Best occurred in March 2026.
  • Best had just attended the funeral of a childhood friend prior to the incident.

The players

Dyshan Best

A 39-year-old Bridgeport resident who was fatally shot by police during a foot chase.

Officer Erin Perrotta

The Bridgeport police officer who took the first ambulance to the hospital for an anxiety attack, leaving Best to wait 10 minutes for a second ambulance.

Tatiana Barrett

Dyshan Best's niece who expressed outrage over the handling of the medical response.

Darnell Crosland

The attorney representing Dyshan Best's family, who questioned the police's account of the shooting.

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What they’re saying

“My uncle was my everything. He was a great uncle.”

— Tatiana Barrett, Dyshan Best's niece

“He literally, just an hour before, had just buried him. Was a pallbearer for his funeral. He wasn't thinking honestly. He was scared.”

— Tatiana Barrett, Dyshan Best's niece

“We have an inspector general's office that we feel leans towards the police. We have ambulance that come and lean towards the police. And the community's upset because he lays there and dies while they deal with somebody having an anxiety attack. I think that's what they call it, and so that's totally unacceptable.”

— Darnell Crosland, Attorney representing Dyshan Best's family

What’s next

The state's investigation into the shooting is ongoing, and the family's attorney has indicated they plan to pursue further legal action regarding the handling of the medical response.

The takeaway

This incident has heightened tensions between the Bridgeport community and law enforcement, raising questions about the prioritization of officer welfare over that of a shooting victim and the transparency of investigations into use of force incidents.