Overview

• Police say they pursued a quad from Piopio toward Marokopa after a reported theft and used spike strips before Phillips opened fire.
• An officer was seriously wounded and hospitalized, and Phillips died at the scene when police returned fire.
• One child with Phillips at the confrontation was taken into custody, and the other two were later found uninjured after a search.
• The confrontation closes a long search that began in 2021 when Phillips vanished with his three children despite sightings, an arrest warrant, and an NZ$80,000 reward.
• Investigations into the shooting are underway, and reactions from Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and the children’s mother conveyed sorrow and relief.