New Zealand father on the run since 2021 killed by police, authorities say

Man who absconded with his 3 children amid custody quality was changeable dormant aft firing connected police, authorities say.

A New Zealand begetter who absconded with his 3 children aft a quality with his ex-partner astir 4 years agone has been killed by police, authorities person said.

Tom Phillips, who had been connected the tally successful the New Zealand wilderness with his children since December 2021, was changeable dormant aft helium was confronted by constabulary pursuing a burglary successful the agrarian municipality of Piopio, constabulary said connected Monday.

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Phillips, who had been progressive successful a quality implicit custody of the children, was killed aft helium fired “multiple shots” astatine the archetypal responding serviceman astatine the scene, causing him superior injuries, constabulary said.

Acting Deputy Commissioner Jill Rogers said Philips, who had yet to beryllium formally identified, was accompanied by 1 of his children, who was not injured successful the incident.

Rogers said authorities were urgently seeking to find his 2 different children.

“Following the incident, we person been successful interaction with Phillips’s household and we volition beryllium moving to supply them with each disposable support,” Rogers said.

In a connection to Radio New Zealand, the children’s mother, Cat, said she was “deeply relieved” for her children.

“They person been dearly missed each time for astir 4 years, and we are looking guardant to welcoming them location with emotion and care,” she said.

Philips’s disappearance from the distant assemblage of Marokop with his 3 children – present aged 12, 10 and 9 – gripped New Zealand and generated planetary headlines.

Despite a fig of sightings implicit the years and appeals by his family, Philips, who was facing transgression charges including aggravated robbery and unlawful possession of a firearm, managed to continually frustrate efforts by authorities to pinpoint his whereabouts.

Authorities had announced the astir caller sighting of Philips little than 2 weeks ago, releasing information camera footage appearing to amusement him and 1 of his children breaking into a agrarian store.