Placer County deputies are searching for 44-year-old Derek Spencer, who is wanted on multiple felonies after allegedly pointing a gun at people, ramming a patrol vehicle and firing at officers in the Iowa Hill area. Tactical teams later found an adult woman shot dead inside a home where Spencer had been. No officers were injured. Residents in the area have been urged to lock their doors and stay inside as the multi-agency search continues.
Manhunt in Placer County After Suspect Allegedly Kills Woman, Fires at Officers; Residents Urged to Lock Doors
Derek Spencer
Deputies in Placer County, California, have launched an active manhunt for a suspect they describe as armed and dangerous after authorities say he murdered a woman and opened fire during a search operation in the Iowa Hill area.
Derek Spencer, 44, is wanted for several felonies, including pointing a firearm at people in Placer County.
What Authorities Say
Placer County sheriff's officials identified the suspect as Derek Spencer, 44. Spencer is wanted on multiple felony charges, including allegedly pointing a firearm at people earlier in the day. During a subsequent search, deputies located Spencer in the Iowa Hill area, where officials say he rammed a patrol vehicle and then fled on foot into steep, rugged forest terrain.
Everyone in the Iowa Hill area is urged to lock their doors and remain inside.
Authorities report that Spencer also fired shots at law enforcement officers and at helicopters assisting in the operation. No law enforcement personnel were injured during the incident.
During the search, an adult woman authorities believe was fatally shot by Derek Spencer.
Victim Found
While tactical teams were clearing a home where Spencer had been earlier in the search, deputies located an adult woman inside who had been shot and killed. Investigators currently believe Spencer is responsible for her death, and he is being sought in connection with the homicide.
Ongoing Search and Public Safety
The sheriff's office described the search as challenging because the search area is large, with dense forest and steep, rugged terrain. Multiple law enforcement agencies are assisting the Placer County Sheriff's Office. Tactical teams have been searching through the night and the operation is expected to continue until Spencer is located.
"Teams will continue searching throughout the night and will not slow down as we work to locate this armed and very dangerous individual," the sheriff's office said.
Residents in the Iowa Hill area have been urged to lock their doors and remain inside until the immediate threat has passed. Officials described Spencer as a bald man with a goatee and asked anyone with information on his whereabouts to contact local law enforcement immediately.
Note: All allegations are being investigated and the suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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