"A New Zealand father who absconded with his three children after a dispute with his ex-partner nearly four years ago has been killed by police, authorities have said. Tom Phillips, who had been on the run in the New Zealand wilderness with his children since December 2021, was shot dead after he was confronted by police following a burglary in the rural town of Piopio, police said on Monday."
"Phillips, who had been involved in a dispute over custody of the children, was killed after he fired multiple shots at the first responding officer at the scene, causing him serious injuries, police said. Acting Deputy Commissioner Jill Rogers said Philips, who had yet to be formally identified, was accompanied by one of his children, who was not injured in the incident. Rogers said authorities were urgently seeking to locate his two other children."
"Following the incident, we have been in contact with Phillips's family and we will be working to provide them with all available support, Rogers said. In a statement to Radio New Zealand, the children's mother, Cat, said she was deeply relieved for her children. 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."
Tom Phillips, who absconded with his three children in December 2021, was shot dead by police after being confronted following a burglary in Piopio. Phillips fired multiple shots at the first responding officer, causing serious injuries to that officer. One of Phillips's children accompanied him at the scene and was not injured. Authorities are urgently searching for the two other children. Phillips had faced criminal charges including aggravated robbery and unlawful possession of a firearm. Phillips disappeared from Marokop with children now aged 12, 10 and 9. Family had reported numerous sightings and recent security footage showed Phillips with a child breaking into a rural property.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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