Police on Monday shot and killed a man they believe is a suspect who had evaded capture for more than 3 1/2 years after he disappeared into rural New Zealand with his three children.
Sept. 8 Police on Monday shot and killed a man they believe is a suspect who had evaded capture for more than 3 1/2 years after he disappeared into rural New Zealand with his three children.
Police have been hunting Tom Phillips since December 2021 when took his three children — Ember, Maverick and Jayda — into the New Zealand bush, with only brief sightings reported since.
Phillips faced a range of charges including aggravated robbery, aggravated wounding and unlawful possession of a firearm.
Police shot and killed Phillips early Monday following a reported burglary in Piopio, a North Island town home to around 400 people located about 280 miles north of the capital Wellington. One officer was seriously injured in the shooting, and was undergoing surgery, authorities said.
« The formal identification of this male has yet to take place but we believe him to be Tom Phillips », acting Deputy Commissioner Jill Rogers with New Zealand Police told reporters during a press conference.
One of his three children was with him, and is receiving care, Rogers said, adding that they « hold serious concerns » for the welfare of his other two children.
