New Zealand’s fugitive father, on run with 3 children in wilderness, believed to be shot dead by police

Reports stated that the man, believed to be Tom Phillips, was shot dead as police responded to a break-in to an armed robbery in western Waikato early on Monday morning. One of the three children was with the man when the shootout took place and is in police custody now. A massive search operation has been launched by New Zealand police to find the remaining children.

Thomas Callam Phillips, along with his three children, vanished in December 2021 and despite several attempts by police, appeals for help, the family’s location had remained a mystery. A warrant was issued against Phillips last year by the New Zealand police over his suspected involvement in a bank robbery in a small town on the North Island.

Police have said that the family was living in the wilderness off-grid and father used his surviving skills to feed, shelter and clothe his children. Though Phillip’s family had publicly appealed in August for him to come home.

In an exclusive interview with New Zealand’s news site Stuff, Phillip’s sister Rozzi Phillips said, “There’s a lot of love and there’s a lot of support, and we’re ready to help you walk through what you need to walk through.” Rozzi added, “I miss you, and I miss being part of your life, and I really want to see you and the kids and be part of your lives again,” BBC reported.

(with inputs from BBC, CNN)

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