• Tom Phillips shot dead by police after a prolonged manhunt lasting nearly four years.
• His three children, aged 12, 10, and 9, were located safe following the incident.
• The confrontation occurred during a burglary in Piopio, leading to a violent shootout.

New Zealand police fatally shot Tom Phillips on Monday after he had been evading capture in the wilderness with his three children for nearly four years. The confrontation occurred while police were responding to a reported burglary in the rural town of Piopio, where Phillips was reportedly armed and dangerous, according to SCMP and Al Jazeera.

During the encounter, Phillips, who was on a quad bike with one of his children, allegedly opened fire, injuring a police officer critically. In return, he was shot multiple times by law enforcement. At the time of the shootout, his other two children were not with him and their safety was a priority, according to CBS News and BBC.

Phillips disappeared with his children from the small farming community of Marokopa in December 2021 amid a custody dispute. Previously, he had faced various allegations including armed robbery and had been living in hiding, often resorting to burglaries for survival. His case gained extensive media attention due to the search efforts and his ability to evade capture, detailed in reports from Reuters, AA, and Al Jazeera.

Following Phillips’ death, authorities managed to recover his children who were found unaccompanied at a nearby campsite in dense bush. Acting Deputy Commissioner Jill Rogers confirmed their safety, stating they would undergo medical checks. The children’s mother expressed relief that the ordeal had ended, as reported by Al Jazeera and AA.

The police operation leading to Phillips' death was described as a culmination of extensive efforts to ensure the safety of both the children and the public. Authorities had feared for the children's welfare given Phillips’ situation and noted he was known to frequent areas where he could remain hidden, as clarified by SCMP, Reuters, and BBC.