DOUGLAS COUNTY- Law enforcement authorities in Douglas County used a robot to assist with an armed, barricaded subject in Lawrence.

Just after noon on Tuesday, an officer with the Lawrence Police Department was flagged down by a citizen in the downtown area. The individual reported a subject that was armed with a handgun inside a residence in the 100 block of Perry Street and was suicidal, according to a media release.

Officers responded to the scene and immediately established a perimeter and began trying to make contact with the subject. Officers were unsuccessful in repeated attempts to establish communication with the subject.

The department’s Rescue Vehicle responded to the scene to assist in evacuating area residents as well as to get close enough to establish verbal contact with the subject. Contact was still not successful. At that time, a small robot was used to enter the residence to make contact with the subject. Upon entry the robot was able to provide a live video feed to officers, who were able to determine the subject was possibly in distress.

A small team of officers were then able to enter the residence and make contact with the individual and secure the area. Paramedics responded to the residence and transported the individual to Lawrence Memorial Hospital for an evaluation.

No injuries were sustained by the subject during the encounter with officers. No additional details were released.