New Zealand Fugitive Father Shot Dead by Police After Nearly Four Years on the Run with Children

WAIKATO, New Zealand — Thomas “Tom” Phillips, a fugitive father who had been evading police for almost four years while taking his three children, was shot dead by police in a confrontation in the Waikato region on Sunday.

Phillips, who disappeared with his children following a custody dispute in late 2021, had been living off the grid, hiding in dense forests and rural farmland. His children, aged around 9 to 12, were raised in isolation without access to formal education or healthcare during this time.

The standoff began after a report of theft at a rural shop. When police attempted to arrest Phillips, he fired at officers, seriously injuring one. Another officer returned fire, killing Phillips at the scene. One child was with Phillips during the incident; the other two were found safely at a nearby campsite.

The children’s mother expressed relief at their recovery after years of uncertainty. Authorities have taken the children into protective custody for health and welfare assessments.

This case has drawn national attention to the challenges of parental custody disputes, law enforcement in remote areas, and child welfare concerns.