Deputies in New Mexico are backing away from definitive claims that Amazon's personal assistant software, Alexa, tipped authorities off last week to a violent confrontation between a man and his girlfriend.
Amazon says that's not possible. Here's what we know from both sides.
What deputies initially said
Bernalillo County deputies were called around 10 p.m. MDT on July 2 to a home on Puntilla Drive in Tijeras. Deputies said a woman had been threatened and hit in the face with a handgun during a confrontation with her 28-year-old boyfriend, Eduardo Barros. Her child, who was also in the home, was uninjured.
Deputies said that during the attack, Barros asked his girlfriend if she called the Sheriff's Office.
"This question, based on the victim's statements, prompted a smart home device known as 'Alexa' to contact law enforcement," deputies said in a news release. "In the 911 recording, the victim can be heard yelling, 'Alexa, call 911.'"
Deputies said they found Barros barricaded inside the home when they arrived. Authorities attempted to negotiate with Barros to bring him out of the home but eventually used a police K-9 unit to get him out, deputies said.
Barros faces charges including aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon on a household member.
"The unexpected use of this new technology to contact emergency services has possibly helped save a life," Sheriff Manuel Gonzales said. "This amazing technology definitely helped save a mother and her child from a very violent situation."
What Amazon told KIRO 7 News
But Amazon says it couldn't have been through Alexa. Since Amazon assured KIRO 7 that Alexa can't call 911, we checked to see what it would say when you asked.
Alexa responded "I'm sorry, I can't help. Please call 911 from a mobile or landline phone."
KIRO 7 reached out to ADT Security because their systems sync with Alexa. A spokesperson said it wouldn't call 911 through Alexa. You can mainly just turn your system on and off.
Why the sheriff office is backing away from claims
KIRO 7 asked the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office if it still believes that Alexa was used to call 911.
They sent KIRO 7 this statement:
"We have continued to receive local and national inquiries regarding a violent domestic dispute incident. We have received questions regarding the specific device used to call 911. Based on the victim's statements and 911 recording, it is presumed the "Alexa" application was utilized to contact law enforcement. It is unknown if the "Alexa" application was specifically utilized, but we can confirm the victim's statements and the 911 recordings. In the recording the victim can be heard yelling, 'Alexa call 911."
We are thankful 911 was called regardless of the method used. Please see press release posted on the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office Facebook page for more information.
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