Accident – Death – Obituary News :
A seven-hour standoff with an armed man barricaded inside a Hyannis home earlier this month took a dangerous turn when state police deployed Spot, a robotic K9, to find the suspect inside.
The incident unfolded on St. Francis Circle after police responded to reports of an adult man, later identified as Justin Moreira, 30, holding his mother at knifepoint. Moreira was later arrested on multiple counts of attempted murder and additional firearms charges following the standoff.
Throughout the standoff, Moreira sporadically fired at police officers and at Spot, the robotic K9 who was ultimately shot and partially disabled. This marked the first time a Spot robot was shot during a police deployment, according to Boston Dynamics, the Waltham-based manufacturer of the robotic K9.
Spot’s Role in Public Safety
During high-stakes public safety responses like the one in Hyannis, robotic K9s like Spot are often used to assess dangerous situations and ensure the safety of first responders and the public. Boston Dynamics officials highlighted various scenarios where Spot has proven to be a valuable asset:
• The Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad frequently deploys Spot to investigate suspicious packages and secure areas with large crowds, such as Boston’s Independence Day celebration and the Boston Marathon.
• Last month, the Massachusetts State Police utilized Spot in Danvers to assist in the apprehension of a barricaded suspect following a shooting incident.
• In Houston, Spot aided the SWAT team in apprehending a capital murder suspect and gaining visual access to a scene during a SWAT standoff, leading to the suspect’s detainment.
• Spot’s versatility was showcased in Florida, where the St. Petersburg SWAT team used the robot to rescue a 3-year-old boy held hostage by a suspect inside a vehicle.
Support for Responsible Use
Brendan Schulman, vice president of policy and government relations at Boston Dynamics, expressed the company’s support for public safety customers and emphasized Spot’s role in keeping officers, bystanders, and suspects safe. Schulman also highlighted Boston Dynamics’ commitment to ethical and safe use of advanced robotics.
Boston Dynamics backs “An Act to ensure the responsible use of advanced robotic technologies,” a Massachusetts bill aimed at promoting ethical and safe utilization of advanced robotics. If enacted, this legislation would set a precedent in the United States.
This story is developing. Stay tuned for updates as more information becomes available.
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