Tom Phillips, a father who had been on the run for years after allegedly disappearing with his children, has been killed in a confrontation with police.
Authorities in New Zealand had been attempting to locate Phillips after he reportedly took his three children, Jayda, 12, Maverick, 10, and Ember, nine, away from their home in December 2021 following a loss of custody to their mother, Cat.
Recent developments suggested that the police were closing in on Phillips, as surveillance footage appeared to show him and one of his children trying to break into a store in Piopio, clad in full body clothing.
The footage reveals the duo breaking into the shop during the early hours before escaping on a quad bike. This was not the first incident, as Phillips had allegedly targeted the same store in November 2023.
On September 8, police managed to track down Phillips, culminating in a shootout. Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police Jill Rogers reported that Phillips was fatally injured during the exchange on Waitomo Road.
Rogers stated that during the incident, one of the missing children was present when Phillips shot an officer, critically wounding the officer in the head.
Phillips’ sister, Rozzi Phillips, acknowledged the family’s awareness of the situation following the incident. Despite the resolution of Phillips’ case, concerns for the safety of the other children persisted, prompting continued search efforts.
Soon after, Rogers announced that the remaining two children had been found unharmed and were undergoing medical examinations.
Rogers added that the children have been cooperative since their discovery, but it remains uncertain if they are aware of Phillips’ death.
The children’s mother has been notified of their safety, though it remains unclear if she or the children’s grandparents will assume their care in the future.