After 4 years on the run, Tom Phillips dies in police shootout in NZ

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
8 Sep 2025 09:51

The fatal shootout has sparked urgent searches for his two missing children in freezing conditions.

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Two New Zealand Police dog handlers and their dogs wait to be awarded their graduation certificates at the National Police Dog Training Center at Trentham, Upper Hutt, New Zealand, Thursday, March 27, 2025 (AP)

A New Zealand man who had been on the run with his children for nearly four years was killed in a shootout with police on Monday, officials confirmed.

Tom Phillips, who disappeared with his three children, aged 9, 10, and 12, in December 2021 following a dispute with his former partner, was fatally shot in Waikato’s remote hill country. His disappearance had gripped national attention, particularly in the town of Marokopa, where he was widely believed to be hiding.

The family managed to avoid capture for years despite repeated sightings, including CCTV footage last month that appeared to show Phillips and one of his children breaking into a store. Police said the manhunt ended violently when Phillips opened fire on officers responding to a burglary report.

He shot one officer in the head and shoulder with a high-powered rifle, Acting Deputy Commissioner Jill Rogers said. The officer was airlifted to the hospital and underwent surgery for what Rogers described as “survivable” but critical wounds.

Images published by the Waikato Times showed Phillips lying on the road, a rifle discarded nearby, with police vehicles riddled with bullet holes.

Children missing

Two of Phillips’ children remain unaccounted for, prompting a large-scale search involving around 50 officers, some armed. A third child, present during the shootout, was unharmed and is now in police custody. Authorities said the child is assisting the investigation and may help identify possible hiding places for their siblings.

The missing children are believed to be alone in the bush as overnight temperatures drop close to freezing. “We are concerned for their safety,” Rogers said, without confirming whether the missing children might also be armed.

Two officers familiar with the case, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, said police had long feared the standoff would end violently. “We were always worried it could end in a deadly confrontation,” one officer admitted.

Investigators believe Phillips relied on a network of supporters who provided shelter and supplies over the years. Reports on the children’s well-being were sporadic, and police opted against an aggressive search earlier to avoid endangering them. But in recent weeks, authorities suspected his support system was collapsing, forcing him into riskier crimes.

“In Marokopa, half the town seemed to support him and half thought he was a criminal,” one officer said. “But more recently his support seemed to be running thin.”

Family’s response

Since his disappearance, Phillips had been charged with aggravated robbery, unlawful possession of a firearm, and aggravated wounding.

The children’s mother, known as Cat, expressed both relief and sorrow at the outcome. “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 told RNZ.

“At the same time, we are saddened by how events unfolded today.”

She requested privacy for her family as the children adjust to what she described as a “stable and loving environment” after “a long and difficult journey.”