Placer County man killed in gunfight with deputies after woman found shot dead

Derek Spencer, 44, was shot dead by sheriff's deputies early Monday after an overnight manhunt near Iowa Hill. A woman, identified as Cheryl Macy, was found shot dead at a home during the search.

Armed suspect killed after overnight standoff near Iowa Hill, Colfax

Derek Spencer, 44, was shot and killed by Placer County sheriff's deputies around 4 a.m. Monday following an hourslong manhunt and gunfight in the heavily forested area south of Colfax, cbsnews.com reports.

The Placer County Sheriff's Office said the hunt for Spencer began on Sunday after he pointed a gun at members of the public and rammed a stolen vehicle into a sheriff's patrol car before fleeing the scene. As tactical teams searched a home where Spencer had been present 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 escaping into the surrounding forest.

Just before 2:30 a.m. Monday, the Sheriff's Special Enforcement Team moved toward the area where Spencer was believed to be hiding. A California Highway Patrol aircraft using infrared technology had helped pinpoint his location. Tactical teams navigated steep terrain before reaching Spencer, who then opened fire.

A standoff followed. Drone footage showed Spencer starting two separate fires during the confrontation. Around 4 a.m., he fired again toward deputies from behind a berm. Deputies returned fire and killed him.

The fires Spencer allegedly ignited during the standoff were later named the Mineral Fire. As of 8:20 a.m. Monday, the blaze had reached an estimated 18 acres, spreading at a slow rate through heavy brush and timber on a steep canyon slope. Cal Fire NEU and Placer County firefighters were given access to the area once overnight law enforcement activity concluded and were actively working to contain the fire under unified command with the Placer County Sheriff's Office.

Sheriff's officials said Spencer had been arrested three times earlier this month on allegations including assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, burglary, and vehicle theft. He had been released after each of those arrests prior to the Iowa Hill incident. Investigators also said Spencer had stolen a vehicle and firearms in El Dorado County on Saturday and had fired at a moving vehicle before the chain of events that led to the manhunt.

Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)