New Zealand fugitive father Tom Phillips has been shot dead by police following an armed burglary in the Waikato region. Police were called to the scene around 2.30am on Monday and pursued two suspects on a quad bike before one opened fire with a high-powered rifle. Police returned fire, killing the shooter, believed to be Phillips pending formal identification.
A police officer sustained critical but survivable injuries and is undergoing surgery. One of Phillips' children was found at the scene, along with multiple firearms. The child is receiving support and cooperating with police. The other two children were later located unharmed at a local campsite, ending a nearly four-year manhunt.
Phillips had been hiding in wilderness with his three children—now aged nine, 10 and 12—since 2021 following a custody dispute. The children's mother, known as Cat, expressed relief the ordeal was over but sadness at how events unfolded. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon called the incident "sad and absolutely tragic."
