New Zealand police shot and killed Tom Phillips during what was expected to be a peaceful, early Sunday morning surveillance operation. He was the hidden, on-the-run father who had spent close to four years on the lam from his three children. Police were called to a break-in at the Piopio Farm Supply — located in Piopio, a small Waikato community — when officers found a large cannabis grow-operation. The result was a violent stand-off at the industrial facility.
Phillips comes from a multi-generational farming background in the tiny coastal community of Marokopa on the King Country’s rugged west coast. His case has gripped the imagination of New Zealanders. His escape into the rough and remote Waikato backcountry right before Christmas 2021. This escape came after a particularly bitter argument with the kids’ mother. The Waikato region, characterized by its long sweeping coastline, forested terrain, and agricultural land, provided a challenging environment for authorities hoping to locate him.
Deputy Commissioner Jill Rogers confirmed that police were alerted to the scene at approximately 2:30 AM. As soon as they arrived, they (the U.S. marshalls) confronted Phillips, which resulted in an immediate gunfight. Phillips was given CPR at first but died from injuries on the scene.
“This has been a deeply traumatic incident this morning for those involved. It has been confronting and challenging in a small, rural, isolated location,” – Deputy Commissioner Jill Rogers
At the time of the explosion, one of Phillips’s daughters, 9-year-old Ember, was found buried at the scene. Since the traumatic and painful ordeal, the police have assured that the child is being provided with all-inclusive care.
“The child located at the scene is being provided wrap around support, and we will not be providing any other comment at this time on their location,” – Rogers
Phillips’s other kids, Maverick, 10, and Jayda, 12, played a part in the response action as well—here’s how it all went down. This family had gone undetected in a country celebrated for the intimacy of its villages, towns and cities, where their sudden disappearance would be conspicuous—and horrifying.
Immediately after this tragedy struck, Cat, the children’s mother, said that she wanted a peaceful resolution.
“Our hope has always been that the children could be returned in a peaceful and safe way for everyone involved,” – Cat
Meanwhile, investigations continue. Rogers said that formal identification of the deceased has not yet occurred, but police are confident that he is Tom Phillips based on evidence gathered from the scene initially.
Several guns were seized during the standoff, leading to more speculation over what Phillips was doing while he was on the lam. His case was highly publicized through the years. As millions tracked his story and expressed fears for his children’s safety, he prayed and prepared for a return home.