Derek Spencer was arrested three times this month, including a Sept. 13 burglary arrest by Folsom police, before authorities say a violent crime spree ended in Iowa Hill
A murder suspect killed in a shootout with Placer County sheriff’s deputies early Monday had been arrested by Folsom police just eight days earlier and released the same day, one of three arrests involving the 44-year-old man this month before authorities say a violent crime spree ended with a woman dead and an overnight standoff in the rugged Iowa Hill area.
Derek Spencer was arrested by the Folsom Police Department on Sept. 13 in connection with a burglary and released that same day on his own recognizance, according to the Placer County Sheriff’s Office. Two days later, Spencer was arrested again by the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, this time in connection with a stolen vehicle. He was released on bond the following day.
Within days, Spencer was wanted again. Authorities say he stole another vehicle and firearms Sept. 19 and fired at a moving vehicle in El Dorado County. Those allegations preceded the events in Placer County that triggered a large-scale manhunt Sunday and ultimately ended in a fatal confrontation with deputies early Monday.
The Placer County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were searching for Spencer in connection with several felony allegations, including pointing a firearm at victims in Placer County. Deputies located him in the Iowa Hill area, where authorities said Spencer rammed a sheriff’s patrol vehicle and fled.
Authorities said Spencer also fired at law enforcement officers and law enforcement helicopters as the search expanded across a large area of dense forest and steep, rugged terrain.
As tactical teams worked to clear a residence where Spencer had been earlier, deputies discovered an adult woman who had been shot and killed inside. Investigators said they believe Spencer killed the woman before fleeing into the surrounding forest.
The woman’s identity had not been released as of Monday morning.
The discovery intensified an already extensive search involving tactical teams and law enforcement agencies from across the region. Deputies continued searching into the night as authorities worked to locate Spencer in the remote terrain.
Shortly before 2:30 a.m. Monday, members of the Placer County Sheriff’s Office Special Enforcement Team began moving into a heavily forested area where authorities said Spencer was attempting to hide.
A California Highway Patrol aircraft equipped with infrared technology helped authorities pinpoint his location, allowing tactical teams to plan an approach. Several teams then made their way through the steep terrain in darkness, an effort the sheriff’s office said took several hours.
When tactical officers reached Spencer’s location, authorities said he fired several shots, beginning a standoff. Drone footage later showed Spencer starting two separate fires while deputies remained positioned around him, according to the sheriff’s office.
At about 4 a.m., authorities said Spencer again fired toward deputies from behind a berm. Deputies returned fire, striking and killing him.
No law enforcement officers were reported injured.
The fires Spencer was allegedly seen starting added another challenge to the operation. Once the law enforcement situation was brought under control, CAL FIRE’s Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit and Placer County crews began fire suppression efforts.
Following the confrontation, the Placer County Sheriff’s Office described Spencer’s actions as a dangerous crime spree that ended tragically with the loss of an innocent life and expressed its condolences to the victim’s family.
“This suspect went on a dangerous crime spree that took a tragic turn, resulting in the loss of an innocent life,” the sheriff’s office said. “Our hearts are with the family impacted by this senseless and random act of violence.”
The deadly ending followed a series of arrests and releases involving Spencer over less than three weeks.
According to the Placer County Sheriff’s Office, Spencer was arrested Sept. 3 by the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office on suspicion of felony vandalism, assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer and resisting arrest. He was released on bond Sept. 11.
Two days later, on Sept. 13, Folsom police arrested Spencer in connection with a burglary. He was released the same day on his own recognizance.
On Sept. 15, Sacramento County deputies arrested him in connection with a stolen vehicle. Spencer was released on bond Sept. 16, according to the Placer County Sheriff’s Office.
Three days later, on Sept. 19, authorities say Spencer stole another vehicle and firearms and fired at a moving vehicle in El Dorado County. By the following day, he was in the Iowa Hill area, where authorities say he pointed a firearm at victims, rammed a sheriff’s patrol vehicle and fired at law enforcement before disappearing into the forest.
The search brought together personnel from the Placer, El Dorado, Nevada and Washoe county sheriff’s offices, along with CHP Air Operations, California State Parks and police departments from Roseville, Rocklin, Nevada City and Grass Valley. The Placer County Sheriff’s Office said the additional personnel and resources were critical during the difficult operation.
The woman’s killing and the officer-involved shooting remain under investigation. Authorities had not released the woman’s identity or additional details about her encounter with Spencer as of Monday morning.
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