A father who had been on the run with his three children in New Zealand for nearly four years was shot dead by police on Monday, September 8, 2025, following a confrontation in Piopio, a small town in the country’s North Island.
Authorities said the incident occurred around 2:30 a.m. local time (14:30 GMT).
Tom Phillips, who disappeared with his children in late 2021, had evaded capture despite nationwide searches and multiple reported sightings over the years.
Police were responding to a reported robbery at a commercial property when Phillips and one child were seen riding a quad bike.
Officers attempted to stop them with road spikes, causing the vehicle to go off-road. Upon reaching the bike, police said they were met with gunfire.
A deputy police officer was seriously injured in the head, and Phillips was subsequently shot and died at the scene.
The other two children were located later at a remote campsite in dense bush, all reported unharmed.
Authorities said one child provided “crucial” information that helped police locate the remaining children. It was unclear whether the children were informed of their father’s death.
Phillips, believed to be in his late 30s, had been living in Marokopa before disappearing.
Known locally as an experienced hunter and bushman, he is believed to have taken the children after losing legal custody.
Over the years, he survived in harsh wilderness terrain and was occasionally sighted during break-ins at hardware and grocery stores. Last year, a warrant was issued for his alleged involvement in a bank robbery in Te Kuiti.
The family had recently appealed for Phillips to come home, with his sister expressing willingness to support him.
New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Luxon described the events as “sad and absolutely tragic,” emphasizing that this outcome was not what anyone wanted.
Locals have expressed concern for the emotional wellbeing of the children, calling the situation devastating for them.