One of Tom Phillips’ children told police her father had guns at the campsite where the other kids were still hiding after he was killed.
Phillips was shot dead by police on Monday in western Waikato, New Zealand, after almost four years on the run with his children.
Phillips disappeared from the small town of Marokopa on New Zealand’s North Island in December 2021 with his three children after a custody disagreement with their mother.
Despite an NZ$80,000 reward and multiple search operations, the family had been living in the wilderness ever since.
On Monday morning, Phillips and Jayda were spotted stealing from a PGG Wrightson farm supply store in Piopio.
A witness called police at about 2.30am, describing them as being in ‘farm clothing’ and wearing headlamps.
Phillips and Jayda took off on their quad bike, but were stopped by police road spikes about 33km away on Te Anga Road at 3.30am.
A witness called police after spotting Phillips and his daughter Jayda, 12, dressed in ‘farm clothing’ and wearing headlamps
The two missing children of Tom Phillips were found after their fugitive father was killed during a shootout with police
Phillips was then confronted by a lone police officer and shot the officer in the head with a high-powered rifle.
The pair fled on a quad bike but were stopped an hour later by road spikes 33km away on Te Anga Road.
Phillips then confronted a lone officer and shot him in the head with a high-powered rifle.
When backup arrived, police returned fire, killing Phillips. Jayda was taken into custody.
Phillips’ two other children, Maverick and Ember, were not present when he was shot, sparking an urgent bush search for the pair.
Police Commissioner Richard Chambers told RNZ that Jayda provided ‘vital information to ensure a safe approach’ to help find the other kids.
She revealed her father had guns at a rural campsite where Maverick and Ember were later found. “We knew that there were firearms,” Chambers said.
Phillips and Jayda took off on their quad bike, and were stopped by police road spikes about 33km away on Te Anga Road at 3.30am
Jayda Phillips watched on as her father was shot and killed by police
‘We knew that there were firearms,’ he said.
Commissioner Chambers revealed that police learned Phillips and the children – Jayda, 12, Maverick, 10, and Ember, 9 – had stayed at an unfamiliar campsite, where some structures were discovered.
‘We are aware that Mr. Phillips has been moving throughout this extensive region quite regularly, not remaining in a single spot the whole time,’ Commissioner Chambers mentioned.
Police Minister Mark Mitchell also said Phillips had ‘multiple high-powered firearms’ and was ‘very unstable in his thinking’.
‘The entire country has witnessed over the past 24 hours the sheer danger of the situation and how it could have resulted in an even more severe tragedy, potentially costing one, two, or even three young lives,’ stated Mitchell.
Commissioner Chambers said the officer shot by Phillips spent ‘a good chunk’ of Monday in surgery with serious injuries to his head and shoulder.
The children Ember, Maverick and Jayda (pictured)
Members of the media stand on the side of a road where a police shootout occurred near the town of Piopio, in New Zealand’s Waikato region
‘It was very, very close for him,’ Commissioner Chambers said.
The children’s mother Cat broke her silence in a statement, saying she was relieved the ordeal had come to an end.
‘They have been dearly missed every day for nearly four years, and we are looking forward to welcoming them home with love and care,’ she said.
‘We are also disheartened by the turn of events today. We always hoped the children would be returned peacefully and safely for all parties involved.’
