Police have released the first images of what they believe is one of many campsites where a New Zealand father on the run hid with his three children for years. Two of Tom Phillips' children were found at the site in the Waikato region on Monday, hours after he was killed in a shootout with the police. Police found them with the help of the third child, who was with Phillips when he died. They said the children are 'doing well', but will take time to recover from the ordeal.
Shortly before Christmas in 2021, Phillips disappeared with his children – Jayda, Maverick, and Ember, then aged eight, seven and five respectively. Police believe he did so after losing legal custody of them. Phillips had 'no regard' for the children's safety and 'quite literally put [them] in harm's way', Police Commissioner Richard Chambers told the media on Tuesday, adding that they are now in the care of authorities.
A stash of firearms and ammunition were also found at the campsite, which is surrounded by dense vegetation. By the time authorities arrived at the site, the search for the two children had been underway for nearly 12 hours. In the early hours of Monday, police responded to a report of an attempted burglary at a rural farm supply shop in Piopio, which led to a shootout with Phillips. An officer was seriously injured after Phillips fired at him with a high-powered rifle.
Phillips' case has captivated New Zealand since he became a fugitive nearly four years ago. Authorities are trying to understand how he evaded capture and managed to access firearms during this time. The injured officer has undergone several surgeries and faces a long recovery. The children's mother expressed relief regarding her children's safety but sadness over the circumstances that transpired.
Shortly before Christmas in 2021, Phillips disappeared with his children – Jayda, Maverick, and Ember, then aged eight, seven and five respectively. Police believe he did so after losing legal custody of them. Phillips had 'no regard' for the children's safety and 'quite literally put [them] in harm's way', Police Commissioner Richard Chambers told the media on Tuesday, adding that they are now in the care of authorities.
A stash of firearms and ammunition were also found at the campsite, which is surrounded by dense vegetation. By the time authorities arrived at the site, the search for the two children had been underway for nearly 12 hours. In the early hours of Monday, police responded to a report of an attempted burglary at a rural farm supply shop in Piopio, which led to a shootout with Phillips. An officer was seriously injured after Phillips fired at him with a high-powered rifle.
Phillips' case has captivated New Zealand since he became a fugitive nearly four years ago. Authorities are trying to understand how he evaded capture and managed to access firearms during this time. The injured officer has undergone several surgeries and faces a long recovery. The children's mother expressed relief regarding her children's safety but sadness over the circumstances that transpired.
