Overview

• A police officer was critically injured with a gunshot to the head and was airlifted to Waikato Hospital for surgery, according to officials.
• One child found unharmed at the scene provided information that led officers to recover two siblings at a remote bush camp later that day, and all three are now in police care.
• Police say spike strips halted a quad near Piopio after a farm-supply store robbery report, shots were exchanged, and Phillips was fatally shot at the scene.
• Investigators report seizing multiple firearms and other items from the bush camp as inquiries into the shooting and the family's years in hiding continue.
• Phillips disappeared with his children in December 2021 during a custody dispute, drew an NZ$80,000 reward offer, and was suspected in several alleged thefts and a bank robbery.