“This was a dangerous operation that extended into steep, wooded terrain.  The responding officers put their safety and lives at risk as they attempted to locate and take into custody this dangerous individual.  The hours were long and the task was dangerous.  We express our deepest gratitude to all who work to protect the public.  We also extend our sympathy to those who knew and loved the person whose life was taken during this crime spree.”

CSLEA President Alan Barcelona

PLACER COUNTY – A two-day search for a murder suspect considered armed and dangerous came to a deadly end early Monday morning in Placer County. 

Assisting in the search in which gunfire was exchanged between law enforcement officers and the suspect Derek Spencer,44, were:

• California State Parks
• El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office
• Nevada County Sheriff’s Office
• Washoe County Sheriff’s Office
• CHP
• Cities of Roseville, Rocklin, Nevada City and Grass Valley

Their support was critical, according to the Placer County Sheriff’s Office.

On Monday, September 21^st, just before 2:30 a.m., members of the Placer County Sheriff’s Office Special Enforcement Team moved into a heavily forested area, where Spencer was attempting to hide.

The suspect’s location was found with assistance from a California Highway Patrol aircraft using infrared technology. That information allowed tactical teams to develop a plan to approach the suspect.

Several teams then made their way through steep, difficult terrain in the dark. The approach took several hours.

Once the tactical teams reached the suspect’s location, the suspect fired several shots. That led to a standoff during which the suspect was seen via drone footage starting two separate fires. At 4:00 a.m. the suspect once again fired shots toward deputies from a berm he was hiding behind, deputies returned fire ultimately striking and killing the suspect.

This suspect was on a dangerous crime spree that took a tragic turn when he allegedly shot and killed an Iowa Hill woman in her home.  

Spencer had been arrested three times in the month of September:

• September 3 – he was arrested by the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office for felony vandalism, assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer and resisting arrest. He was released on Sept 11th on bond.
• September 13 – he arrested by Folsom Police Department for burglary. He was released the same day on his own recognizance.
• September 15 – he was arrested by the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office for stealing a car, he was released the next day on September 16th on bond.

On September 19^th, he allegedly stole a vehicle and guns, and shot at a moving vehicle in El Dorado County. That led up to the chain of events and manhunt in Iowa Hill on September 20th.