New Zealand father, who was a fugitive, killed by police

A father, Tom Phillips, who had been missing with his three children in the New Zealand wilderness since late 2021, was fatally shot by police following a dramatic chase around 02:30 on Monday. The two parties crossed paths when Phillips and one of his children were seen on a quad bike during a reported robbery in Piopio, sparking a pursuit by law enforcement officers.

Deputy Police Commissioner Jill Rogers revealed that when the police attempted to apprehend Phillips after using road spikes to stop the quad bike, they were met with gunfire. The initial officer on the scene suffered a gunshot wound to the head and is currently in critical condition, while Phillips eventually succumbed to his wounds after a subsequent encounter with a second patrol unit.

Despite the ongoing probe, authorities are confident of Phillips’ identity, although his body has not been officially identified yet. Fortunately, the two other children were located unhurt at a remote campsite later in the day. The child present during the incident played a pivotal role in providing information that led to the retrieval of the remaining children.

The deceased’s ex-partner, known as Cat, expressed profound relief that her children are safe after being separated from them for nearly four years. She shared that while the ordeal has finished, she grieves for the tragic outcome of events. The authorities have contacted Cat and Phillips’ parents, though discussions on the children’s ongoing care arrangements have not been disclosed.

Phillips and his children vanished following his absence at a court hearing in 2022. Accompanied by his children, Phillips resided in Marokopa, a secluded town in the Waikato region, and was known for his expertise as a hunter and bushman. When he lost custody of his children, Phillips decided to flee with them, entering a lifestyle of seclusion amid New Zealand’s rugged terrain, including caves and dense forests in the Marokopa area.

Despite his mastery of survival tactics, such as shelter building and foraging, Phillips began resorting to theft from hardware and grocery stores for resources. Sightings of him and his children were reported in various locations, with the most recent one capturing them clad in camouflage gear while traversing the wilderness, backpack-laden and avoiding encounters with others.

Following his suspected involvement in a bank robbery in Te Kuiti, a warrant was issued for Phillips’ arrest last year, yet his connections with the local Marokopa community remained a mystery. Stunned locals were left questioning whether anyone had been aiding his evasion efforts.

Phillips’ family had recently made a heartfelt plea urging him to surrender and return home, imploring him to allow them back into his life. The tragic ending to Phillips’ flight has elicited nationwide sorrow, with New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Luxon expressing deep regret over the outcome. Concerns have been raised about the impact of his demise on his children, with fellow New Zealanders sharing sentiments of hoping for a more favorable resolution for the family.