US officer having a mild anxiety attack' took ambulance meant for man shot by police

"The first ambulance called to take Best to the hospital arrived at the scene at 6.02pm, about 14 minutes after the shooting. However, at the urging of other officers, that ambulance was used to take away a white police officer, Erin Perrotta, who had been involved in the foot chase, the report said. Paramedics reported that Perrotta declined treatment in the ambulance."

"Another officer described Perrotta at the time as visibly hysterical (crying and breathing rapidly) and had blood all over her uniform, the report said. The second ambulance arrived at the scene at about 6.12pm. Hospital records said Best was brought in for treatment at 6.22pm—about 14 minutes after Perrotta got to the hospital, according to the report."

"He died at 7.41pm as he was undergoing treatment for the gunshot wound, which damaged his liver and right kidney. The report by Eliot Prescott, Connecticut's inspector general, did not say whether the delay in waiting for another ambulance contributed to Best's death."

Dyshan Best, a 39-year-old Black man, was shot in the back while fleeing police in Bridgeport, Connecticut on March 31, 2025. A state investigation found the shooting justified, but revealed critical delays in medical response. The first ambulance arrived at 6:02pm, approximately 14 minutes after the shooting, but officers directed it to transport Officer Erin Perrotta, who was experiencing visible distress and anxiety symptoms despite declining treatment. Perrotta stated she was fine and only needed to leave the scene. The second ambulance arrived at 6:12pm, transporting Best to the hospital at 6:22pm—14 minutes after Perrotta. Best died at 7:41pm from injuries to his liver and kidney. The investigation did not determine whether the ambulance delay contributed to his death.

Read at www.theguardian.com