On July 9, the Alaska State Troopers located 58-year-old Wasilla resident Philip Phillips on a boat, at anchor in the Whittier area, after he had failed to appear for trial in which he was found guilty of one count of Sexual Abuse of a Minor in the 1st Degree, one count of Sexual Abuse of a Minor in the 2nd Degree, and one count of Harassment.
According to the Troopers, when contacted, Phillips was armed with a handgun and refused to participate in negotiations for his surrender. As a result, less lethal tools and chemical agents were used, but Phillips still refused to cooperate and donned ballistic body armor and retrieved a gas mask when the chemical agents were introduced. While attempting to negotiate his surrender, Phillips brandished his firearm in the direction of the officers and was subsequently shot by members of the Trooper SWAT Team.
Phillips was pronounced dead at the scene and his next of kin have been notified. No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
Phillips’ sex abuse convictions stem from offenses committed in Aug. 2020 involving a then-12-year-old boy.
According to the Alaska Dept. of Law, on the first morning of his trial, Phillips fired his attorney and decided to represent himself. After a jury was selected, Phillips failed to show up for trial, and the court issued a warrant for his arrest. The Troopers immediately began efforts to locate him. Investigation revealed that Phillips had sold his house earlier in June, sold his truck the week before trial, and purchased a satellite phone with an international plan.
