Fugitive father Tom Phillips shot dead by police - two children still missing

Fugitive Marokopa father Tom Phillips has been shot dead by police after allegedly ram-raiding a building in Piopio.
Phillips is dead and a police officer was shot in the incident in the early hours of the morning.
A second person is in custody.
Phillips and his three children have been missing since December 2021.

Police said one child was at the scene with Phillips during the shootout.

They had been taken into custody and were getting wrap-around support.

Police confirmed two of the children were still missing and police were actively looking for them.

Acting Deputy Commissioner Jill Rogers said a member of the public called police about a potential break in at a store in Piopio.

The person said two people were on a quad bike and wearing head lamps.

The quad bike was seen travelling along Waipuna Rd, Rogers said, and spikes were laid by officers.

The bike ran over the spikes and came to a rest.

She said the first officer at the scene was met with gunfire at close range and shot in the head. They fell to the ground and took cover.

A second officer shot and killed the man, believed to be Tom Phillips.

More follows. RNZ.