New Zealand Fugitive Tom Phillips‘ Parents Issue Apology After Deadly Shoot-Out
Teh parents of Tom Phillips, the man killed in a shootout with police on september 8th, have publicly apologized for the ”trouble” their son caused. Neville and Julia Phillips stated in a letter published in the King Country News, “We in no way supported him or agreed with any of his actions in the past four years.” The shootout also resulted in serious injuries to a police officer, who has as been discharged from hospital, according to local media reports.
Phillips, an experienced hunter and bushman, disappeared with his children from their home in Marokopa, a rural town in the Waikato region, prior to the incident. For weeks, they lived in the dense bush and forested terrain surrounding the area. Police confirmed the primary objective of the operation was “locating and returning the children safely,” as stated by Detective Superintendent Ross McKay, who also noted authorities “knew Phillips had firearms and was motivated to use them.”
The incident unfolded after Phillips was suspected of attempting to break into a store in Piopio, prompting a police chase and the subsequent shooting. One of Phillips’ children was with him during the shootout and later provided facts that helped locate his two other children. The family had previously issued public appeals for Phillips’ return,with his sister Rozzi stating in a televised message,”we’re ready to help you walk through what you need to walk through.” His mother, Julia, wrote in a letter to Stuff, expressing her daily hope that “today will be the day that you all come home.”
Police have stated they cannot release further details due to the ongoing examination. During their time in the wilderness, Phillips and his children were observed on CCTV breaking into stores for supplies, according to Detective Superintendent McKay, who described the terrain as “difficult, steep…almost wholly obscured from all angles by dense bush.”
