One of the man’s children was with him when police got a report of a probable break-in at a farm goods store, prompting a desperate hunt for the other two following the fatal incident.
After four years on the run with his three young children, whom he did not have custody of, fugitive Tom Phillips was killed in a reported firefight in New Zealand on Monday, September 8.
One of the man’s children was reportedly present when police responded to a call of a break-in at a farm supplies business in Poipoi, in the western Waikato area, with authorities stating that this youngster “provided information that has been crucial in narrowing” the hunt for the man’s other children.
The other siblings were discovered more than 12 hours later, around 4:30 p.m., alone at a remote campsite about 2 kilometers from the gunfight, with all three children confirmed “unharmed” and “safe,” according to Radio New Zealand and ABC News Australia.
“They are with police now and being removed from the location,” Acting Deputy Commissioner Jill Rogers told local media on Monday evening, according to RNZ. “They are well and uninjured [and] will be taken to a location this evening for medical checks.”
According to CNN World, Phillips disappeared with his three children, Ember, Maverick, and Jayda, who are now believed to be nine, ten, and twelve years old, in September 2021, sparking a large search effort.
However, they later turned up at a nearby farm owned by his family, prompting Phillips to be charged with wasting police time. Then he and the children vanished again in December 2021. He did not have legal custody of them.
At around 2:30 a.m. local time on Monday, police were alerted to a possible break-in in the small village of about 450 people when a witness contacted and stated they felt there was a burglary in process.
Rogers stated that additional personnel were summoned because there was indications that a quad bike affiliated with Phillips had been observed in the vicinity.
During a police pursuit of him on the quad bike, officers deployed a spike strip around 30 kilometers from the break-in. This eventually grounded Phillips, who allegedly shot at the first office as they stepped out of their vehicle.
“The first attending police officer at the scene has come across that stopped quad bike and been confronted by gun fire at close range,” Rogers said in a previous press conference, repeating the scenario. “Our officer has been struck in the head, he’s immediately fallen to the ground and taken cover.”
A second team arrived, and Phillips was killed during a gunfight with them. Police found “multiple firearms” on the quad bike. His daughter was not wounded.
Rogers informed reporters that the injured cop underwent his first of “many surgeries” after suffering “significant injuries.” She went on: “They are described to us as being survivable, but… he has been shot multiple times with a high powered rifle.”
According to police, the fugitive died at the scene despite receiving first assistance. While authorities have yet to identify the victims, Phillips’ sister Rozzi Phillips said RNZ that her brother was involved in the gunfire and was eventually shot and killed.
Police were on high alert with the fugitive at large after a number of reported sightings and break-ins in and around the Waikato area, including an armed bank robbery in May 2023 and an early morning break-in at a convenience store just two weeks ago.
“Today’s outcome is not what we expected. Our thoughts are with everyone concerned. Rogers stated that everyone engaged in this case cared about the children’s well-being. “While they are safe, this is only the beginning of their lengthy path to rehabilitation, and their well-being remains our first priority. As a result, we will not go into depth about their current location or mental state.
The children’s mother talked with RNZ after their recovery, saying she was “relieved this ordeal had come to an end.” She continued to say of her children, “They have been dearly missed every day for nearly four years, and we are looking forward to welcoming them home with love and care.”
“At the same time, we are saddened by how events unfolded today,” she made clear. “Our hope has always been that the children could be returned in a peaceful and safe way for everyone involved.”
