Placer County deputies kill armed suspect after Iowa Hill shootout

By Brandon Downs

An armed suspect sought in the killing of a woman near Iowa Hill was shot and killed by Placer County sheriff’s deputies early Monday after an overnight manhunt and shootout, authorities said.

The Placer County Sheriff’s Office identified the suspect as 44-year-old Derek Spencer, who deputies had been searching for since Sunday in the heavily forested area south of Colfax.

Just before 2:30 a.m. Monday, sheriff’s Special Enforcement Team members began moving toward an area where Spencer was believed to be hiding. A CHP aircraft using infrared technology had helped pinpoint his location, sheriff’s officials said.

Deputies said tactical teams made their way through steep terrain before reaching Spencer, who then fired several shots.

A standoff followed, during which deputies said drone footage showed Spencer starting two separate fires.

Around 4 a.m., Spencer again fired toward deputies from behind a berm, the Sheriff’s Office said. Deputies returned fire and killed him.

No deputies were injured.

The manhunt began Sunday after deputies said Spencer pointed a gun at people in Placer County and later rammed a stolen vehicle into a sheriff’s patrol car before taking off.

As tactical teams searched a home where Spencer had been earlier, they found a woman shot to death inside. The sheriff’s office identified her Monday as Cheryl Macy.

Investigators believe Spencer killed Macy before fleeing into the surrounding forest.

Deputies said Spencer also fired at law enforcement and law enforcement aircraft during the search.

The fires allegedly started during the standoff were later named the Mineral Fire. Cal Fire NEU and Placer County firefighters were given access to the area Monday morning after overnight law enforcement activity ended.

The Mineral Fire was estimated at 18 acres as of 8:20 a.m., with a slow rate of spread through heavy brush and timber on a steep canyon slope. Fire crews were actively working to contain it while remaining in unified command with the Placer County Sheriff’s Office.

Spencer’s Sacramento County criminal cases

The Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office said Spencer had an active criminal case in Sacramento County at the time of the Placer County crime spree.

According to the DA’s office, Spencer was charged Sept. 8 with felony assault with a deadly weapon on a Sacramento County sheriff’s deputy. Spencer was arraigned that day, and a judge set bail. The DA’s office said prosecutors argued that he remain in custody.

Three days later, on Sept. 11, Spencer posted bail and was released. Prosecutors said he failed to appear for a preliminary hearing on Sept. 18. A warrant was issued for his arrest.

After that release, the DA’s office said Spencer was arrested by Folsom police on Sept. 14 on suspicion of burglary. He was released on his own recognizance later that day, with an arraignment scheduled for Sept. 21.

Spencer was arrested again on Sept. 16 on suspicion of vehicle theft, the DA’s office said. The next day, Spencer posted bail and was released, with an arraignment scheduled for Sept. 23.

The Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office said the case also highlights its concerns about California’s bail system. In a statement, the office cited the California Supreme Court’s recent Kowalczyk decision, saying it has limited judges’ ability to detain repeat offenders before trial even when prosecutors argue they pose a danger.

“The events that took place in Placer County are truly tragic, especially the murder of an innocent victim. Sadly, this should never have occurred but bail reform in California has prioritized criminal offenders over victims,” the DA’s office said.

Investigators said Spencer had also stolen a vehicle and guns in El Dorado County on Saturday and fired at a moving vehicle before the events that led to the manhunt in Iowa Hill.

Macy previously worked for the district attorney’s office

Placer County District Attorney Morgan Gire confirmed Monday evening that Macy, whom he refers to as Cheryl Barron, worked for the office from 2006 to 2020.

“The loss of Cheryl is devastating to our office and to the entire community. Our hearts are with her family, her friends, and everyone who knew and loved her. We ask that their privacy be respected as they face this unimaginable loss,” Gire said.

Gire shared similar concerns about California’s pretrial release laws, saying it prevents courts from having “the tools necessary to consider patterns of dangerous behavior and protect victims and the community when the circumstances warrant it.”

“Today, however, our focus is Cheryl. She was a mother, a friend, a colleague, and a cherished member of our community. She deserves to be remembered for the life she lived, the people she touched, and the years she devoted to serving Placer County,” Gire said.