New Zealand fugitive father Thomas Phillips shot dead by police after armed confrontation

Thomas Phillips, a fugitive father who had been hiding with his three children in New Zealand's wilderness for nearly four years, is believed dead following an armed confrontation with police Monday, September 8. The incident occurred after police responded to a break-in at a farm shop in the rural town of Poipoi.

Acting Deputy Commissioner Jill Rogers confirmed police believe the deceased man to be Phillips. His sister, Rozzi Phillips, confirmed to CNN affiliate RNZ that he had been killed.

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Police officer shot during chase operation

The confrontation began when police spotted a four-wheeled farm bike with two occupants leaving Poipoi following reports of a break-in at a farming goods store. Officers pursued the vehicle and deployed road spikes approximately 30 kilometers down a gravel road.

"The quad bike has run over the spikes. The two occupants have been on that bike, and it has come to a rest on this rural road. A short time later, the first attending police officer at that scene has come across that stopped quad bike and been confronted by gunfire at close range," Rogers said.

The officer was struck in the head while exiting his police vehicle and took cover in the car. A second officer arrived and shot the man believed to be Phillips. Multiple firearms were located on and around the quad bike.

One child found, two still missing

Police confirmed one of Phillips' children was found at the scene of the confrontation and is now in custody. The child recovered was identified as a girl, leaving a boy and girl still missing in the wilderness.

The three children - Jayda, Maverick and Ember, believed to be ages 9, 10 and 12 - have had no contact with their mother since December, 2021, when Phillips first disappeared with them.

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Massive search operation underway

A large-scale police operation is currently searching the rural area near Marakopa, where Phillips and the children were believed to be hiding in dense bush. Overnight temperatures are predicted to drop as low as 1 degree Celsius (34°F), adding urgency to the search efforts.

"There are a number of police staff who are actively looking for the children, which remains our number one priority at this stage, to find those children, alongside supporting our injured colleague and his (family)," Rogers said.

Four-year timeline of disappearances

Phillips first vanished with his children in September, 2021, prompting extensive land and sea searches near Marakopa on New Zealand's west coast. The family reappeared weeks later at a farm belonging to Phillips' relatives.

After Phillips was charged with wasting police time, he and the children disappeared again in December, 2021. Police believe Phillips used survival skills to live off-grid, feeding, sheltering and clothing his children in the wilderness.

Recent criminal activity and reward offered

Two weeks before Monday's shooting, law enforcement released security camera footage showing what they believed to be Phillips and one child involved in a break-in at a convenience store in the same town.

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In June, police offered a reward of 80,000 New Zealand dollars ($52,000) for information leading to the family's location and safe return. Phillips faced charges including aggravated robbery, aggravated wounding, and unlawful possession of a firearm, including an alleged armed bank robbery in May, 2023.

Mother's statement on children's ordeal

The children's mother, known as Cat, issued a statement expressing relief that the ordeal was ending while expressing sadness about how events unfolded.

"They have been dearly missed every day for nearly four years, and we are looking forward to welcoming them home with love and care," she said. "At the same time, we are saddened by how events unfolded today. Our hope has always been that the children could be returned in a peaceful and safe way for everyone involved."