Police remain tight-lipped about speculation that a baby is among the missing children they’re searching for after a fugitive father was shot dead by officers following a bungled robbery.
Tom Phillips vanished from the rural town of Marokopa on New Zealand‘s North Island in December 2021 with Jayda, now 12, Maverick, ten, and Ember, nine following a custody dispute with their mother.
They are believed to have lived in the wilderness ever since, despite numerous police search operations and a NZ$80,000 reward.
Phillips and one of his children were riding a quad bike away from a small business in Piopio, in western Waikato, on the country’s North Island, when they were stopped by police road spikes about 3.30am local time Monday.
Phillips was then confronted by a lone police officer. He shot the officer in the head with a high-powered rifle. When a second police car turned up, Phillips was shot dead and the child was taken into custody.
Phillips’ other two children were not present, and a massive manhunt is underway to find them. The injured police officer is in a critical condition and has been airlifted to hospital to undergo surgery.
Acting NZ Deputy Police Commissioner Jill Rogers said that the missing child located at the scene with Phillips is cooperating with police as search for their siblings continues.
When a reporter asked about a rumour that a baby may be missing with the two other children, she declined to comment.
A man has been shot dead by police in the New Zealand region where fugitive father Tom Phillips (pictured) remains on the run
The fugitive dad has been on the run with his children Ember, Maverick and Jayda (pictured) for almost four years
‘The Herald (newspaper) understands there also may be a baby missing with the other with the other children. Can you give us any information about this?’ a reporter asked.
Deputy Commissioner Rogers replied: ‘No, I’m sorry, I can’t.’
But she confirmed that Phillips two other children were yet to be located.
‘We are making urgent inquiries to locate Tom Phillips’ other children, who we hold serious concerns for,’ she said.
‘The child located at the scene is being provided wraparound support and we will not be providing any other comment at this time on their location.
‘We are actively seeking them [the other children] as we speak.’
Detective Senior Sergeant Andrew Saunders added that the focus is now on finding the other children and getting them out safely.
‘We’re working hard to achieve that,’ he said.
The shootout followed the robbery of PGG Wrightson, a rural farm supply store. A witness spotted two people – presumably Phillips and the child – fleeing on the back of the quad bike, dressed in ‘farm clothing’ and wearing headlamps.
Police found a haul of stolen items on the bike, along with multiple firearms.
Acting NZ Deputy Police Commissioner Jill Rogers refused to confirm rumours that a baby may be missing with the two other missing children
Police recently released CCTV of fugitive New Zealand father Tom Phillips and one of his children stealing items from a general store in the Waikato region
The children’s mother Cat hasn’t seen Jayda, Maverick or Ember since December 2021
Deputy Commissioner Rogers said ‘officer intuition’ had led cops to lay road spikes down a long rural road, where Phillips was eventually caught and subsequently killed.
‘This is devastating news for Tom Phillips’ family, and is the outcome that nobody wanted ,’ she said.
‘This has been a deeply traumatic incident this morning for those involved.’
In a statement, the mother of the three children, Cat, said: ‘We are deeply relieved that for our tamariki (the Māori word for children) this ordeal has come to an end.
‘They have been dearly missed every day for nearly four years, and we are looking forward to welcoming them home with love and care.
‘At the same time, we are saddened by how events unfolded today. Our hope has always been that the children could be returned in a peaceful and safe way for everyone involved.’
The children’s mother expressed her love to the police officer injured in the incident.
‘We also extend our aroha (love) to those in the community who have been affected, and our heartfelt gratitude to the many people who have supported us over these past four years. Your compassion has sustained us,’ Cat continued.
‘As a whānau (family), we are now attempting to work in cooperation with the relevant government agencies to support the safe return and reconnection of our tamariki.
‘They have endured a long and difficult journey, and we ask for privacy as we help them adjust and reintegrate into a stable and loving environment.’
Police Commissioner Richard Chambers has advised the force that the shot officer ‘is conscious and talking to his fellow officers’.
‘A significant police operation is underway,’ he said.
‘Police ask media and members of the public to respect the police operation and cordons that are now in place to ensure nobody is put at risk.’
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon told media that he had been briefed by police but wouldn’t be commenting.
Commissioner Chambers is currently in Melbourne for the funeral of Victoria Police Detective Neal Thompson, 59, one of two officers fatally shot in the state’s high country on August 26. He will return to New Zealand later on Monday.
They are believed to have lived in the wilderness ever since, despite numerous police search operations and a NZ$80,000 reward.
There have been several possible sightings in the last year.
Police recently released fresh footage of Phillips and one of his children captured on CCTV using an angle grinder to break into the Piopio Superette general store.
The latest development is the strongest lead in a case that has gripped the country since Phillips vanished with his children.
It came days after Phillips’ family broke their silence for the first time in almost four years.
His mother Julia penned an emotional open letter to her missing son and grandchildren, which was read out by her daughter Rozzi in an emotional interview with Stuff journalist Paddy Gower on his weekly current affairs program.
‘Tom – I feel really sad that you thought you had to do this,’ the letter began.
‘Not considering how much we love you and can support you.
The latest development came almost a year after a ‘credible’ sighting of Tom Phillips and his children in bushland west of Marokopa last October
‘It hurts every time I see photos of the children and of you and see some of your stuff that is still here. Thinking what could have been if you had not gone away.
‘Jayda, Maverick, Ember – I love you so much and really miss being part of your lives.
‘Every day I wake up and hope that today will be the day that you will come home.’
His sister Rozzi also publicly pleaded for her brother to come out of hiding and assured him that the family will be there for him.
