07/09/2025
FUGITIVE TOM PHILLIPS KILLED: Rozzi Phillips, Tom's sister, told RNZ her brother was shot and killed during a police shootout in Pipio, New Zealand, early this morning, following reports of a robbery in Waikato. A news conference stated Tom had an arsenal of fi****ms on him. An officer was also shot and is in serious condition, but he is receiving medical treatment. One person was taken into custody, believed to be one of Phillip's three children. Two of the children remain unaccounted for. It is believed than an infant is also missing with them. Its unclear who this child is and how they relate to the Phillips family.
CCTV from August 27th showed Phillips and one of his children robbing a grocery store in Piopio before fleeing on a quadbike. This was the first sighting of Tom in almost two years. An appeal was made by the childrens' family to have them returned safely just days before this incident occurred.
Tom had been on the run with his three children since 2021. A tragic outcome to this case. Our thoughts remain with the children, their extended family, and with the officer involved who is receiving treatment in hospital.
UPDATE: 8/9/25 - Police say that the two missing children have now been found at a rural campsite. They are both unharmed and have been taken for medical checks.
VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.Sources:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillips_family_disappearanceshttps://www.1news.co.nz/2024/10/08/timeline-disappearance-of...
