Placer County deputies search for murder suspect, Iowa Hill residents asked to stay inside. PLACER COUNTY, California — Deputies are searching for an armed and dangerous man who is now suspected of killing a woman, according to the Placer County Sheriff’s Office. Derek Spencer, 44, was last seen in the Iowa Hill area of Placer County. Spencer was wanted Sunday after pointing a firearm at people in Placer County, in addition to other felonies. The sheriff’s office said that when deputies found Spencer around 10:30 a.m., he rammed a vehicle stolen in El Dorado County into one of their patrol cars and fled the area. The body of a woman who had been shot to death was found inside a home where Spencer had previously been in the search. Deputies believe he shot the woman before running into the woods. Spencer later shot at law enforcement and a sheriff’s office helicopter around 2 p.m., authorities said. That was the last time he was seen by authorities. Iowa Hill residents are asked to lock their doors and stay inside. The sheriff’s office described Spencer as a bald man with a goatee wearing a black T-shirt and posted a photo of him. KCRA 3 received a tip that Spencer was arrested in Sacramento County last week. Court records show he was released from the Sacramento County Jail on Thursday, September 17. Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Ed Igoe confirmed that Spencer has been arrested three times this month: once by the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office for felony vandalism, assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer and resisting arrest. (September 3) Once by the Folsom Police Department for theft (September 14) Once by the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office for stealing a vehicle (September 16) Spencer was released on bail for the sheriff’s office arrests on September 3 and September 16. The Foresthill Fire Protection District said there is a fire near Iowa Hill Road that crews cannot conduct because it is too close to the search for the active shooter. | VIDEO BELOW | LiveCopter 3 has an aerial view of Mineral FireLIVE | A view of the Mineral Fire in Placer County View on No law enforcement officers have been injured in the pursuit of Spencer, officials said. This is a developing story, stay with KCRA 3 for the latest. See more coverage of California’s top stories here | Download our application | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel.
