Child held rifle as police approached Tom Phillips' campsite
Thursday 11 September 2025 · 3 outlets · 3 reports · updated 
One of Tom Phillips' children was holding a rifle when a police special tactics group arrived at a remote campsite on Monday. The child was persuaded to put the weapon down, and the children were taken into care without further incident. Phillips died following a shootout with police earlier that day.
How they headlined it
More on Tom Phillips search and inquiry
- Film company agrees to police control of Tom Phillips documentary
- Tom Phillips' firearms licence revoked before second disappearance
+3 - Hearing on media injunction for Tom Phillips investigation concludes
- Media challenge reporting restrictions on Tom Phillips case in High Court
+4 - Public inquiry announced into handling of Tom Phillips case
Related stories
- Child alerted police to firearms at campsite after father's death+1
- Police investigate after Tom Phillips is fatally shot and children found+2
- First images released of campsite where Marokopa children were found
- Fugitive Tom Phillips dead after police shootout in Waikato+3
- Police release images of Tom Phillips' campsite in King Country
+4