![\"derek-spencer.png](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/derek-spencer.png#.png\")
<\/p>\nAuthorities in Placer County say they are searching for a suspect they believe shot and killed a woman before taking off and ramming into a patrol vehicle.<\/p>\n
The Placer County Sheriff’s Office said authorities are searching the area of Iowa Hill Road, south of Colfax, for a suspect they say is armed and dangerous.<\/p>\n
Deputies identified the suspect as 44-year-old Derek Spencer, who is from the greater Sacramento area. They said he is wanted for several felonies, including pointing a firearm at victims in Placer County earlier in the day.<\/p>\n
Spencer is also suspected of shooting and killing a woman inside a home. Deputies said they believe Spencer murdered the woman before taking off from law enforcement.<\/p>\n
While searching for Spencer, deputies said he rammed into a sheriff’s deputy’s patrol car and took off. He then fired shots at law enforcement and at law enforcement helicopters, the sheriff’s office said.<\/p>\n
As of 8 p.m., deputies are still searching for Spencer. They said the search area is very large, with dense forest and steep and rugged terrain.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Deputies say Derek Spencer is considered armed and dangerous.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Placer County Sheriff’s Office<\/p>\n
The Foresthill Fire Protection District said at about 5 p.m. that Cal Fire and U.S. Forest Service units were staging at Mineral Bar Campground for a forest fire. The department said the fire was closer to Iowa Hill and that no fire suppression efforts are underway due to how close it is “to a serious active shooter incident.”<\/p>\n
The fire district added that Placer County deputies are searching for a suspect who was involved in a possible carjacking Saturday in El Dorado County.<\/p>\n