A New Zealand father, Tom Phillips, who had been on the run with his three children since December 2021, was shot dead by police on Monday after a confrontation in the rural town of Piopio.
Phillips, who had been involved in a custody dispute with his ex-partner, was wanted for various crimes, including aggravated robbery and unlawful possession of a firearm.
According to Acting Deputy Commissioner Jill Rogers, Phillips fired “multiple shots” at the first responding officer, causing serious injuries.
One of his children was with him during the incident but remained uninjured. Authorities are now urgently seeking to locate his two other children. “Following the incident, we have been in contact with Phillips’s family and we will be working to provide them with all available support,” Rogers said.
The children’s mother, Cat, expressed relief for her kids, saying, “They have been dearly missed every day for nearly four years, and we are looking forward to welcoming them home with love and care.”
Phillips’s disappearance with his children had garnered significant media attention, with authorities releasing security camera footage less than two weeks ago showing him and one of his children breaking into a rural store.
Phillips had managed to evade authorities despite several reported sightings over the years. The police had been working tirelessly to locate him and bring him to justice. The case has drawn widespread attention, with many Kiwis relieved that the ordeal for the children is finally over.
In the aftermath of the incident, the police will conduct a thorough investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding Phillips’s death. The well-being and safety of the children remain the top priority for the authorities.
The police operation that led to Tom Phillips’s death began early Monday morning after a reported break-in at a farm supply store in Piopio. Police laid road spikes, which stopped the bike Phillips was riding.
As an officer approached, Phillips fired multiple shots, hitting the officer in the head. A second patrol unit arrived, engaging Phillips in a shootout that ultimately resulted in his death. The injured officer is currently in critical condition in the hospital, undergoing surgery.
One of Phillips’s children, who was with him during the incident, remained uninjured and is currently with the police and Oranga Tamariki staff. Authorities are working to locate Phillips’s two other children, Jayda, 9, Maverick, 10, and Ember, 12, who have been missing since December 2021.
The children’s mother, Cat, expressed relief that the ordeal has ended and thanked the community for their support during the past four years.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the rural community of Piopio, where residents are grappling with the news of Phillips’s death and the police officer’s critical condition.
Local authorities have assured the public that they are working to restore normalcy and ensure the children’s safe return to their family. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has been briefed on the situation, but it’s been left to the police to provide updates.
The police investigation into the incident is ongoing, with Acting Deputy Commissioner Jill Rogers confirming that Phillips’s formal identification is yet to be confirmed.
Rogers expressed sadness over how events unfolded, emphasizing the hope for a peaceful resolution. The police have also extended their support to the injured officer’s family and the community affected by the incident.
