There are still many details to uncover about the fugitive father of three, Tom Phillips, who was fatally shot dead during an altercation using firearms with police in the early hours of Monday morning.
This morning, police spoke to media again to share more about where the investigation is at, and the wellbeing of both Phillips' children and the injured police officer.
One child was with Phillips as he attempted a ram-raid at the PGG Wrightson building in Piopio. Following the break-in, Phillips and his eldest daughter were confronted by one NZ Police officer, who obtained serious injuries after being shot at and struck in the head during the incident.
A second unit appeared on the scene, and Tom Phillips’ four-year saga came to an end.
His two missing children were later found unharmed at a remote bush campsite on Te Anga Rd around 4:30pm yesterday.
As new developments come out today, here is the latest on the unfolding aftermath of the tragic day.
Scene Examinations
Police are examining the scene today, including Waipuna Rd, where the shooting unfolded.
The bush campsite - about 2km away - was also searched, following the location of the two missing children, and multiple firearms have since been recovered.
Commissioner Richard Chambers told RNZ the child located with Phillips during the altercation “helped us with the information that we needed to ensure the safe approach”.
She also alerted authorities to the multiple firearms that were found on-site.
Speaking to NZ Herald this morning, Chambers said officers were extremely cautious in approaching the children, knowing weapons could still be present.
He confirmed a “large number” of bullet holes riddled the constable’s police car and suggested the campsite was just “one of many” Phillips used while hiding in the bush.
“Some structures” were found at the campsite, but Chambers doesn’t believe the family had been in the location for long.
Where are the children now?
Chambers said police felt “absolute relief” when the kids were located, but expressed they face “a long road to recovery.”
Oranga Tamariki has taken over to care for the children - Jayda, 12, Maverick, 10, and Ember, 9.
Child psychologist Sarah Watson told Breakfast the situation will be “very complex and tricky,” with the children likely vulnerable after years of isolation and the sudden loss of their father.
"It's going to be so traumatic, not only for the child that was there, but also for the two kids that didn’t know where their father was,” Watson said.
She added that a “potential crisis” may form following their isolation and trying to find their individual identities in these formative years.
How is the injured police officer?
The officer, who sustained injuries to their head and shoulder in the incident, is said to be “doing OK”, but is likely to need a series of surgeries.
"When these things happen, the police family kicks into gear, we help each other, and we've always done that,” he said.
Chambers plans to make visiting the officer and his family today a priority.
When questioned by the media on why the officer was initially alone as the shooting occurred, Chambers defended the decision-making of the frontline staff.
He says it "was exactly what I would expect it to be in that they were dealing with a burglary”.
“They positioned themselves in a way that would help catch the offenders for that burglary. They waited for backup, and when this situation unfolded yesterday in the early hours of the morning, the police officer who was shot had his colleagues right there by him.
"And yes, OK, he was in a vehicle on his own at the time. But support was right beside him. So their decision-making yesterday morning in dealing with this was exactly what I would expect it to be.”
NZ Police | Supplied
NZ Police | Supplied
UPDATE 1:30PM - NZ Police have released the first images of Tom Phillips’ campsite, located deep in the Marokopa bush about 2km from the scene of yesterday’s incident.
