Man Behaving 'Erratically' Dies After 'Struggle' With Police In Haverhill: DA

HAVERHILL, MA — A 43-year-old man died after a "struggle" with police in Haverhill Friday night, Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker and Haverhill Police Chief Robert Pistone said.

According to Tucker and Pistone, at about 6:22 p.m., Haverhill Police received a call about a man who was "behaving erratically" in the area of 115 White Street in Haverhill. The caller indicated the man 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 down White Street, officials said.

Video surveillance shows the male weaving in and out of traffic, nearly being struck several times by passing motorists, Tucker and Pistone said. Responding officers arrived at the scene and found the man behaving in a belligerent manner, and called for an ambulance to assess his well-being, officials said.

Subsequently, the man fled the scene on foot and attempted to enter Bradford Seafood, located at 124 Winter Street, officials said. Officers attempted to restrain the man for safety purposes and for the safety of the surrounding public, Tucker and Pistone said.

The officers and male man "ended up on the ground outside Bradford Seafood in a struggle. During this encounter, the male party became unresponsive, and first responders attempted lifesaving aid. EMS arrived moments later and transported the male party to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased," officials said.

The incident remains under investigation by detectives assigned to the Office of the District Attorney, the Haverhill Police Department, and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, officials said.