Police have released an image of the campsite in dense Waikato bush where the remaining two Marokopa children were found yesterday following the fatal shooting of their father Tom Phillips.
The fugitive father, who had evaded law enforcement for nearly four years, was shot dead by police early on Monday morning after a police officer was shot and critically injured during a burglary response.
One of Phillips’ children was found at the scene and taken into police custody, while the other two were found “well and uninjured” at a campsite at around 4.30pm. Around 50 police staff, including the armed offenders squad, assisted in the search for the two outstanding children.
In the photograph released, two quad bikes with blankets draped over them can be seen parked in the bush with two cans of Sprite sitting on one wheel.
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In a media conference this afternoon, Police Commissioner Richard Chambers said: “We are very, very fortunate that we are not dealing with the loss of a New Zealand police officer.”
The responding police officer had been shot in the head and shoulder by Phillips.
Chambers said he “honestly believed” the injured officer was still alive due to the work of the supporting police officers.
“He’s a very well respected, capable and enthusiastic police officer. New Zealand Police will wrap around the support that he needs and his family needs to ensure that he returns to being the police officer that he wants to be.”
Police had known for years that Phillips was “armed”, “dangerous”, and “motivated”, Chamber said.
“We were confident that irrespective of how hard we tried to bring it to a peaceful conclusion that with a motivated person, that was always going to be a challenge, and that has informed the way that we have dealt with this matter over the four years.”
He said there was “absolutely no doubt” that Phillips’ intention was to kill the officer.
“He had a very high-powered rifle, as you’ve heard the minister say, and there is absolutely no doubt his intent was to kill the police officer.”
He said the shots were taken at close range, and he had observed four bullet holes in the police vehicle.
“You can appreciate the damage that that can do.”
Chambers said the campsite had been located yesterday, with the help of one of the children, in dense bush around 2km from where the shooting occurred.
“We were also advised that we were likely to find firearms at the campsite, and we did so. Our approach throughout yesterday, until such time as we recovered the remaining children safe and well, was cautious, and that was necessary.”
Police release photos of the campsite where two children were found – Watch on TVNZ+
He said police had covered the terrain where the campsite had been uncovered yesterday “a lot” in the past four years.
“It’s highly likely that we’ve been very close, in fact, if not right there as part of that investigation over time.”
Police Minister Mark Mitchell commended officers for their bravery and commitment following the fatal shooting.
“Although he’s got a tough pathway to recovery, there is a pathway — and we are very thankful we still have him with us,” Mitchell said after visiting the injured officer in Waikato Hospital.
Mitchell said police had worked for four years to resolve the case and always prioritised the children’s safety.
“Mr Phillips, in my view, had no regard for the safety of those children,” he said.
“He quite literally put them in harm’s way.”
Aerial shots reveal the aftermath of the Marokopa standoff – Watch on TVNZ+
He said the children had been away from their mum for four years and Oranga Tamariki needed to make a careful plan for their recovery.
“They have seen and been exposed to things that children in our country should not have been exposed to. Everyone is focused and caring for those children and that has been the approach has been taken from day one, when they first disappeared into the into the bush with their father.”
Children ‘doing well’ under the circumstance – Oranga Tamariki
Waikato and Bay of Plenty regional commissioner of Tamariki and Whānau Services Warwick Morehu said the children were “settled last night”.
“They are doing well under the circumstances, and engaging with staff supporting them,” he said.
“These tamariki will be provided with whatever help or assistance they may need for however long they may need it”.
“Now I understand that there is huge public interest in these tamariki and their wellbeing, but all I can ask is that we please give them some privacy.
“These are young, young tamariki and this has been unprecedented.
“In these circumstances, everyone is doing their very best to ensure we can return them to some form of normal daily life,” he said.
