Tue Sep 09 07:20:00 UTC 2025: **News Article:**

**Fugitive Father Killed in Shootout, Children Found Safe After Years in Wilderness**

**Piopio, New Zealand** – A four-year saga came to a violent end Monday when fugitive Tom Phillips was shot and killed by police following a reported burglary in the remote town of Piopio. Phillips had been on the run with his three children since December 2021, living in the Waikato wilderness after a custody dispute with their mother.

The incident occurred after Phillips allegedly broke into a store. A police officer was shot in the head during the confrontation and is currently hospitalized in serious condition.

Following the shooting, two of Phillips’ children were found safe at a campsite approximately 2 kilometers from the scene. Authorities, with the help of one of the children, located the third child in the surrounding dense bush. All three children, aged 9, 10, and 12, are now in the care of child protective services.

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers stated that firearms and ammunition were discovered at the campsite, and an investigation is underway to determine how Phillips acquired these items and whether he had any accomplices. “There is a lot of work to determine whether there is anyone else involved,” Chambers said during a press conference.

Local residents in Piopio have expressed a mix of relief and sadness. While relieved the children are safe, some expressed concern about the violent nature of Phillips’ death and the trauma it may have caused the children.

Oranga Tamariki (New Zealand’s Ministry for Children) has confirmed the children are “doing well under the circumstances” and has appealed to the public to respect the family’s privacy. A suppression order has been granted in the high court to protect aspects of the case.

Authorities have emphasized that Phillips should not be regarded as a hero. Police Minister Mark Mitchell stated that Phillips “had no regard for the safety of those children,” while Commissioner Chambers denounced Phillips’ actions as endangering his children and attacking law enforcement officers.

The injured officer is expected to face a long recovery. The investigation into Phillips’ activities and potential accomplices is expected to continue for months.

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