Community rallies amid investigation into man’s death in Haverhill after struggle with police

A crowd of area members held a rally in Haverhill on Sunday to demand justice for a man who died after being subdued and restrained by police outside a local seafood restaurant as the scrutiny into his death continues Holding signs and chanting Justice for Francis a small crowd came together to call for transparency in the examination into the death of -year-old Francis Gigliotti who administrators say was acting erratically and died after being subdued In tears at the scene of the struggle his fianc e Michele Rooney announced she thought officers went beyond what was necessary when restraining him He was not violent he was not combative I just don t know why they had to use such excessive force she noted of the seven officers who came together to restrain him before he could get into Bradford Seafood The initial call Thursday night was for a man acting erratically in the area of White St who was behaving an in a belligerent manner according to a message issued by Essex District Attorney Paul F Tucker A subsequent review of video surveillance in the area allegedly shows Gigliotti weaving in and out of traffic and nearly being struck several times by passing motorists The caller stated he had fallen on the floor when leaving the building was running in the middle of the street and that he hit a car with his head then continued running down White Street During the struggle with police Gigliotti became unresponsive and first responders attempted lifesaving aid EMS arrived moments later and transported him to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead Population members could be seen gathered outside the restaurant late into the night Saturday and a small memorial of lit candles were lined up along the building In a message Haverhill Mayor Melinda E Barrett explained I want to offer my condolences to the family of Francis Gigliotti and assure our society that I am closely monitoring the circumstances around his tragic death The District Attorney s office is researching I promise complete transparency to our district and ask that everyone remain sufferer and calm as this examination ensues and more information is made available The affair remains under scrutiny by detectives assigned to the Office of the District Attorney the Haverhill Police Department and the Office of the Chief Health Examiner This is a advancing news story stay with NEWS on-air and online for the latest details