A fugitive father who had been hiding together with his three kids within the dense New Zealand wilderness was shot lifeless in an armed confrontation with police, however two of the kids are nonetheless lacking and there are rising considerations for them with close to freezing temperatures anticipated in a single day.
Thomas Phillips and his kids – believed to be ages 9, 10 and 12 – had been evading police in a distant a part of the nation’s North Island since December 2021, triggering a manhunt that has gripped the nation for nearly 4 years.
Phillips’ time on the run ended within the early hours of Monday when police responded to a break-in at a farm store in a tiny rural city and gave chase.
A police officer was wounded within the confrontation after being shot within the head at shut vary with a high-powered rifle, police stated.
One of many kids was discovered with the now deceased man, believed to be Phillips, and is cooperating with police. However the different two kids – a boy and a woman – have but to be discovered.
A large and pressing search operation involving helicopters and particular techniques police is underway for them, with temperatures in a single day predicted to drop as little as 1 diploma Celsius (34°F).
“We’ve acquired very younger kids out right here. You may see the terrain right here. It’s tough, it’s rugged. It will likely be all the way down to freezing level, I might think about this night,” Appearing Deputy Commissioner Jill Rogers informed reporters Monday afternoon native time.
A police officer investigates at a website following a shootout that occurred close to the city of Piopio, situated in New Zealand’s Waikato area on September 8, 2025. – DJ Mills/AFP/Getty Photos
Rogers stated the kids have been considered on their very own, however didn’t rule out that somebody might be serving to them.
“We’ve at all times been involved that there has doubtlessly been assist being supplied to this household. With the occasions which have unfolded immediately, this should come to a conclusion,” she stated.
Phillips first vanished together with his kids – Jayda, Maverick and Ember – in September 2021, kicking off an enormous search of land and sea close to the tiny rural city of Marakopa, on the rugged west coast of New Zealand’s Waikato district.
They reappeared at a close-by farm belonging to Phillips’ household weeks later. However after Phillips was charged with losing police time, he and the kids vanished once more in December that 12 months.
Police imagine they have been dwelling off-grid, with the daddy utilizing his survival abilities to feed, shelter and dress his kids, however regardless of a number of sightings, appeals for assist, and a police search, the household’s location had remained a thriller. Every new sighting made world headlines.
Early Monday native time police have been known as to studies of a break-in at a farming items retailer within the Poipoi, a city of lower than 500 folks within the western Waikato district close to the place Phillips is believed to have been hiding out.
A four-wheeled farm bike with two folks on it was noticed leaving the city on a gravel street and police gave chase. Highway spikes have been arrange close to at an intersection about 30 kilometers down the gravel street.
“The quad bike has run over the spikes. The 2 occupants have been on that bike, and it has come to a relaxation on this rural street. A short while later, the primary attending police officer at that scene has come throughout that stopped quad bike and been confronted by gunfire at shut vary,” Rogers stated.
The officer was getting out of his police automotive when he was struck within the head and subsequently took cowl within the automotive. One other police officer arrived on the scene seconds later and shot on the man believed to be Phillips.
Whereas formal identification has but to taken place, Rogers informed reporters Monday: “We imagine him to be Tom Phillips.”
His sister, Rozzi Phillips, confirmed to CNN affiliate and public broadcaster RNZ that he had been killed.
Rogers confirmed one of many lacking kids, considered the opposite individual on the farm bike, was situated on the scene.
Police confirmed that the kid in custody was a woman, leaving a boy and a woman nonetheless lacking.
A number of firearms have been situated on and across the quad bike whereas the wounded officer has been airlifted to Waikato Hospital to endure surgical procedure.
Rogers stated the officer had “vital accidents” that may require a number of surgical procedures, however that police had been knowledgeable they have been “survivable.”
Jayda, Maverick and Ember Phillips and have been lacking with their father Thomas Phillips since December 2021. – New Zealand Police
Frantic seek for remaining kids
Police have repeatedly voiced their critical considerations for the kids Jayda, Maverick and Ember who’ve had no contact with their mom since December 2021.
A large police operation is now underway in rural space close to Marakopa, the place Phillips and the kids have been believed to be hiding out in dense bush.
“There are a selection of police workers who’re actively searching for the kids, which stays our primary precedence at this stage, to search out these kids, alongside supporting our injured colleague and his (household),” stated Rogers.
The youngsters’s mom, generally known as Cat, stated she was “deeply relieved that for our (kids) this ordeal has come to an finish,” in an announcement to CNN affiliate RNZ on Monday morning.
“They’ve been dearly missed on daily basis for practically 4 years, and we’re trying ahead to welcoming them residence with love and care,” she stated
“On the identical time, we’re saddened by how occasions unfolded immediately. Our hope has at all times been that the kids might be returned in a peaceable and secure manner for everybody concerned.”
Simply two weeks in the past, legislation enforcement launched safety digital camera footage of what they believed to be Phillips and one of many kids concerned in an early morning break-in at a comfort retailer in the identical city as Monday’s taking pictures.
Final June police supplied a reward of 80,000 New Zealand {dollars} ($52,000) for data resulting in their location and secure return.
Phillips’ collection of alleged crimes consists of the armed theft of a financial institution in Might 2023, when two folks have been seen on a safety digital camera escaping on a motorcycle with money.
Phillips already confronted a variety of prices together with aggravated theft, aggravated wounding, and illegal possession of a firearm.
CNN’s Hilary Whiteman contributed reporting
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