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.

Sheriff’s officials also said Spencer had been arrested three times earlier this month, including on allegations involving assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, burglary and vehicle theft. He had been released after each of those arrests before the Iowa Hill incident.

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.