The incident occurred in Bridgeport, Connecticut, where 39-year-old Dyshan Best was shot by police during a foot chase in March 2025. Authorities say Best fled from officers while holding a handgun, prompting Officer Yoon Heo to fire his weapon. A state inspector general later ruled that the shooting was legally justified because the officer believed he faced a deadly threat.
However, the investigation raised serious concerns about what happened immediately after the shooting. The first ambulance called to the scene arrived expecting to transport Best, who had suffered severe internal injuries after being shot in the back. Instead, officers directed paramedics to take Officer Erin Perrotta to the hospital after she experienced what was described as a “mild anxiety attack.”
According to the report, Perrotta told responders she was “fine” but said she “just needed to get out of here.” She reportedly declined medical treatment while being transported in the ambulance.
Because the first ambulance left with the officer, Best had to wait for a second ambulance to arrive roughly 10 minutes later. He was eventually transported to the hospital but died during surgery about an hour after the shooting due to injuries to his liver and kidney.
Investigators said they could not determine whether the delay in transportation contributed directly to Best’s death. Still, the revelation has sparked outrage among the victim’s family and community members, who believe the lost time may have reduced his chances of survival.
Bridgeport police have launched an internal investigation into the ambulance decision, while Perrotta is currently on administrative leave related to a separate matter.
