A quiet rural community in New Zealand has been rocked by a brazen daylight shooting and a father's desperate, public plea for the return of his three children, missing for over two years.
The incident unfolded in Maramarua, south of Auckland, when police officers attempted to serve a routine court document. The situation escalated dramatically when a gunman opened fire, leaving three officers with serious injuries. One was shot in the leg, another was struck in the stomach, and a third sustained a severe arm injury.
At the centre of this turmoil is Tom Phillips, who took to social media following the shooting. In a chilling video message, he directly addressed the public, not about the violence, but about his children. "Can everyone please help me and bring Jayda, Maverick and Ember home," he pleaded, referring to his three children who have been missing since December 2021.
The video, filmed from a vehicle, shows Phillips with a prominent black eye, adding a layer of mystery to the already complex case. His plea contradicts the ongoing police investigation, which has now taken a far more serious turn following the shooting assault on law enforcement.
Authorities have responded with immense force. A significant police presence, including the elite Armed Offenders Squad, has locked down the area in a large-scale manhunt. A property linked to Phillips has been designated a crime scene as forensic teams work to piece together the events.
Superintendent Andrew Loader confirmed the gravity of the situation, stating the injured officers are currently in a stable condition in hospital. He emphasised that the priority remains locating Phillips and, crucially, ensuring the safety and whereabouts of Jayda, Maverick, and Ember Phillips.
This shocking event transforms a long-term missing persons case into a major armed and dangerous operation. The New Zealand public, once hopeful for a safe return, now watches as a domestic tragedy erupts into public violence, leaving a community on edge and a nation waiting for answers.
