A man who had been on the run with his three children in the New Zealand wilderness for almost four years has been killed during a confrontation with police.
The man, identified as Thomas Phillips, had been evading authorities since December 2021 with his two daughters and son, aged 9, 10, and 12. His death followed a violent encounter after an alleged robbery at a farm supplies store in the Waikato region early Monday morning.
During the incident, one police officer was shot in the head and left critically injured. Another officer returned fire, fatally shooting Phillips. Despite immediate medical efforts, he died at the scene.
Police confirmed that one of the children was with him at the time of the robbery. That child has since been taken into custody and is cooperating with investigators. However, the whereabouts of the remaining two children remain unknown, prompting urgent search operations. Authorities expressed “serious concerns” for their safety and are prioritizing efforts to locate them.
Phillips had previously made headlines when he disappeared with his children, sparking nationwide concern and repeated appeals from family and law enforcement. For nearly four years, he managed to keep the children hidden in remote areas of New Zealand’s North Island, avoiding detection despite multiple sightings and reports.
Just weeks before his death, his relatives had publicly urged him to return home, saying they hoped he might see their appeal and bring the children back.
The children’s mother, identified only as Cat, said she was “deeply relieved” that the ordeal had come to an end. She expressed hope of reuniting with her children soon, saying they had been “dearly missed every day.”
Authorities confirmed that Phillips did not have legal custody of the children at the time of their disappearance. His actions, described as both desperate and dangerous, left lasting scars on the family and community.
The search for the missing two children is ongoing, with police asking the public to report any possible sightings as the investigation continues.
