A father who had been on the run with his three children in New Zealand's wilderness for nearly four years has been shot dead by police. Tom Phillips, who disappeared with his children in late 2021, had evaded capture despite a nationwide search and several sightings over the years. The case had gripped the country and remains one of New Zealand's most enduring mysteries.
Phillips was killed in a shootout around 02:30 on Monday (14:30 GMT Sunday) in Piopio, a small town in northern New Zealand, police said. Officers were responding to a reported robbery at a commercial property when Phillips and one of his children were spotted riding a quad bike. Police officers then gave chase before laying road spikes to stop them. The bike hit the spikes and went off-road.
When police reached the vehicle, they were met with gunfire, Deputy Police Commissioner Jill Rogers told reporters. The first attending officer was shot in the head and remains in serious condition. A second patrol unit engaged Phillips, who was shot and died at the scene. While the body had not been formally identified at the time of the announcement, police were confident it was Phillips. The other two children were found later in the day at a remote campsite in dense bush. All three children are unharmed, Rogers said.
The child he was with had provided crucial information that helped locate the other children. It remains unclear whether the children were informed of their father's death. Authorities notified their mother, known only as Cat, that the children are safe. She expressed being "deeply relieved" that the ordeal had concluded but mourned the tragic events of the day.
Phillips had been evading capture since failing to appear in court in 2022 after losing legal custody of his children. Local residents described him as an experienced hunter and bushman, capable of living in the wilderness. However, desperation for resources led to several sightings related to break-ins at local stores since 2023.
Prime Minister Chris Luxon called the turn of events sad and absolutely tragic, voicing widespread sentiment across New Zealand and expressing concerns for the children's wellbeing after such a distressing incident.
Phillips was killed in a shootout around 02:30 on Monday (14:30 GMT Sunday) in Piopio, a small town in northern New Zealand, police said. Officers were responding to a reported robbery at a commercial property when Phillips and one of his children were spotted riding a quad bike. Police officers then gave chase before laying road spikes to stop them. The bike hit the spikes and went off-road.
When police reached the vehicle, they were met with gunfire, Deputy Police Commissioner Jill Rogers told reporters. The first attending officer was shot in the head and remains in serious condition. A second patrol unit engaged Phillips, who was shot and died at the scene. While the body had not been formally identified at the time of the announcement, police were confident it was Phillips. The other two children were found later in the day at a remote campsite in dense bush. All three children are unharmed, Rogers said.
The child he was with had provided crucial information that helped locate the other children. It remains unclear whether the children were informed of their father's death. Authorities notified their mother, known only as Cat, that the children are safe. She expressed being "deeply relieved" that the ordeal had concluded but mourned the tragic events of the day.
Phillips had been evading capture since failing to appear in court in 2022 after losing legal custody of his children. Local residents described him as an experienced hunter and bushman, capable of living in the wilderness. However, desperation for resources led to several sightings related to break-ins at local stores since 2023.
Prime Minister Chris Luxon called the turn of events sad and absolutely tragic, voicing widespread sentiment across New Zealand and expressing concerns for the children's wellbeing after such a distressing incident.
