An emergency situation is unfolding in Waikato this morning, September 8, after a man was shot dead by police and a police officer was injured following an alleged burglary.
The area the incident happened in is near the location police have been searching for Marokopa man Tom Phillips, who’s been hiding from the authorities with his three children since December, 2021.
In a statement, Waikato Police said: “One man has died and a police officer has been seriously injured after an incident in Waikato overnight.
“Police were called at about 2.30am to a Waitomo address after reports of a burglary at a commercial property.
“During the response, a man and a police officer were shot.
“The man was provided immediate first aid, however died at the scene. The officer was taken to hospital, where he remains in a serious condition.
“A significant police operation is under way. Police ask media and members of the public to respect the police operation and cordons that are now in place to ensure nobody is put at risk.
Police are yet to publicly say if the shooting this morning is connected to the search for Phillips.
News media are reporting Phillips is suspected of carrying out the alleged ram-raid of the PGG Wrightson store in Piopio. Another person is believed to be in custody.
Prime Minister and Botany MP Christopher Luxon has been briefed on the situation, as has Police Minister Mark Mitchell.
Luxon declined to comment, saying he would leave it to police to provide more information.
Phillips’ sister has confirmed his death following the incident overnight.
Police Deputy Commissioner Jill Rogers is expected to speak to the news media about the situation at 11am today.
- LIVE UPDATES:
Rogers says just after 2.30am police received a call from a member of the public who said they believed they were witnessing a burglary in progress.
Two people were seen riding on a quad bike. At about 3.20am, police laid road spikes at an intersection, she says.
The quad bike went over the road spikes and came to a stop. A police officer came across the quad bike and was shot at.
The police officer was shot in the head, fell to the ground, and took cover.
A second police officer arrived at the scene and shot the alleged offender, who died at the scene.
The formal identification of the suspect has not yet taken place, but police believe he is Tom Phillips.
The injured police officer was flown to Waikato Hospital by helicopter. The officer received critical injuries.
Police have been in touch with Phillips’ family and they are providing the family with support.
The incident this morning was “deeply traumatic” for those involved.
The second person found at the scene is a child and they are being cared for, Rogers says.
The child was not injured. Police found multiple firearms and the officer who was injured was shot with a hire-powered rifle.
Police are actively searching for Phillips’ two other missing children.
Rogers says it’s a “devastating outcome” for all the people involved.
The press conference has now ended.
- POLICE UPDATE
Following the press conference this morning, police released the following statement:
“Police have fatally shot a man after a confrontation following a burglary in Piopio this morning.
“The man, who confronted police after his quad bike was spiked, fired on officers.
“One officer was struck in the upper body, causing serious injuries. Police returned fire, hitting the armed man, who died at the scene.
“Formal identification is yet to be completed, but police believe the man to be Tom Phillips, who has been on the run with his children since December, 2021.
“With the man was a child, who was not injured in the incident. They have spoken with police this morning and receiving care.
“We are not in a position to identify the young person at this time.”
- WAITOMO BURGLARY:
“At about 2.30am today, police were called by a member of the public to a burglary at a commercial address in Piopio.
“The caller described two people breaking into a supply store – a male figure wearing a head torch and farm gear, and a shorter person, also wearing a head torch.
“After loading a quad bike with items, they left at about 2.45am and travelled north.
“Based on the descriptions provided, police believed the man was likely to be Tom Phillips, resulting in additional staff, and the police Eagle helicopter, being deployed.
“Responding police set spikes at the intersection of Te Anga and Waipuna Rds, about 3.20am.
“Several minutes later, the quad bike ran over the spikes, and came to a stop shortly after.
“The man fired multiple shots at the first attending police officer as he exited his vehicle at the scene, striking him in the head and shoulder.
“A second police unit was immediately on the scene. Police fired at the armed man, incapacitating him. Police provided first aid, however the offender died at the scene.
“A second person was detained at the scene, where multiple firearms were recovered by police, on and around the quad bike.
“The injured officer was airlifted to hospital about 4.50am.”
- SCENE EXAMINATION AND ENQUIRIES
“A significant police presence is ongoing in Marokopa and urgent enquiries are being made to locate Phillips’ other children, whom we hold serious concerns for.
“The child at the scene is being provided wraparound support and we will not be providing comment on their location at this early time.
“Following the incident, we have been in contact with Phillips’ family and we will be working to provide them with all available support.
“We are also providing support to our staff member who was injured, and other staff at the scene. This has been a confronting and challenging event for them.
“We understand there will be a number of questions about the incident, but at this time, we are limited in the information we can provide.
“A critical incident investigation has been launched and we are now working to establish a complete timeline of events.
“The IPCA has also been notified, as is standard procedure for an incident of this nature.
“Further information will be released when it becomes available.”
