A fugitive father, Thomas Phillips , was shot dead by police in New Zealand on Monday (September 8) after hiding with his three children in the wilderness for nearly four years. The children, aged nine, 10, and 12, are now in police custody, ending a nationwide manhunt that began in December 2021.

The incident unfolded when police responded to a robbery at a commercial property in Piopio, a small town on New Zealand's North Island. Phillips and one of his children were spotted on a quad bike, leading to a police chase. According to BBC News , the chase ended when the bike hit road spikes , and Phillips opened fire, injuring a police officer. Another officer then shot Phillips, who died at the scene.

The other two children were later found at a remote campsite in the dense bush

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