7 Haverhill police officers on leave after man dies in struggle

Seven Haverhill police officers are on paid leave after a 43-year-old man died during a struggle with police outside a restaurant Friday evening.

Francis Gigliotti died when police attempted to restrain him after he was allegedly "behaving erratically," according to the Essex County District Attorney's office.

The Haverhill Police Department confirmed the officers are on leave but did not release their names. Chief Robert Pistone declined to answer any questions about the incident.

"Once the investigation is complete, and all of the facts are known, I will be able to provide more information and address the media and public," he said in an email.

The DA's office said police were called after Gigliotti was seen running through traffic on Winter Street, at one point hitting his head on a car. They said video surveillance footage shows Gigliotti weaving in and out of traffic. Officers  called for an ambulance to assess him.

Gigliotti ran and tried to enter Bradford Seafood, according to the DA's office. Outside the restaurant, officers and Gigliotti "ended up on the ground" in a struggle. Gigliotti became unresponsive and was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Mayor Melinda Barrett said the city is mourning the loss of Gigliotti, a lifelong resident of Haverhill.

"Mr. Gigliotti, his friends and family, and the public deserve a thorough and transparent investigation of his death," the mayor said. "This is of utmost importance to me."

The Essex County DA's office is asking the public to share any video or photos they may have taken near Bradford Seafood between 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Friday.

Haverhill police officers do not wear body cameras, though Barrett said she and the police chief are seeking to implement a program. The superior officers' union agreed to a body camera program in their latest contract, while patrol officers are still negotiating.

Barrett said Haverhill has a behavioral health clinician embedded with the police department, though it's not clear if they responded to the incident.