Man dies after struggle with police

PORTSMOUTH, R.I. (WPRI) - Questions continue to surround the death of a man who struggled with police in Portsmouth.

Rhode Island State Police and the attorney general’s office are now investigating the death of 25-year-old Craig Raposa.

Police say that struggle happened right in front of the Bay View Estates Apartment building in Portsmouth on Friday afternoon.

One neighbor who didn’t want to be identified said Raposa, “was out of control, just screaming, fighting, and at one point his pants came off of him.”

Police say they were called to the apartment for a medical call just before 11:30 a.m. Raposa called to have police check on his mother's well-being.

The fire department arrived first and found his mother to be fine, though Raposa seemed to be experiencing psychological difficulties.

Raposa agreed to be brought to the hospital for evaluation, but became unruly while officers were escorting him from the scene.

“I had asked the officer, where was all the help?," the neighbor said, "He said he couldn’t get any help, because the guy knocked the walkie-talkie out of his hand.”

Neighbors tell us police couldn’t subdue Raposa and even had to pepper spray him.

Another neighbor, Tom Perry said, “The postman also tried to restrain him, and they were holding him down and all of a sudden he didn’t move anymore.”

Police say Raposa was taken to Newport Hospital, but it’s not clear when he died.

Neighbors say officers did not perform CPR on Raposa before he was transported.