Placer County deputies fatally shoot accused killer in Iowa Hill
Key Points:
- Derek Spencer, 44, suspected of killing 76-year-old Cheryl Macy, died after a prolonged gunbattle with Placer County deputies amid advancing wildfires, according to the sheriff's office.
- Spencer was initially wanted for pointing a firearm at people and other felonies, and had been on the run for nearly 20 hours before deputies encountered him Sunday morning.
- After ramming a stolen vehicle into a patrol car and evading capture, Spencer is believed to have shot at deputies and a sheriff's helicopter during a standoff that lasted over two hours.
- Multiple fires started by Spencer complicated the law enforcement response and delayed firefighting efforts, with his body eventually airlifted out due to flames encroaching near the scene.
- Spencer had a recent criminal history including arrests for felony vandalism, assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, resisting arrest, burglary, and vehicle theft, and was released on bond multiple times in September.