Iowa Hill Lockdown: Armed Suspect Evades Authorities in Woods
WHO:
KCRA - Derek Spencer, 44, is the armed murder suspect being sought by authorities.
KCRA - Placer County Sheriff's Office is leading the search for Spencer.
NY Post - Spencer is considered armed and dangerous.
WHAT:
KCRA - Spencer is suspected of having shot the woman before fleeing into the forest.
Fox News - The sheriff's office stated that tactical teams found an adult female who had been shot and killed inside the home where Spencer had been earlier in the search.
KCRA - The search for Spencer is complicated due to the area being very large, with dense forest and steep, rugged terrain.
KCRA - Spencer is suspected of killing a woman and was last seen in the Iowa Hill area.
KCRA - Spencer pointed a firearm at people and rammed into a patrol vehicle before fleeing.
KCRA - A woman was found shot and killed inside a home where Spencer had been.
KCRA - Spencer fired shots at law enforcement and a sheriff's office helicopter.
KCRA - Residents of Iowa Hill have been asked to lock their doors and remain inside.
KCRA - Spencer has been arrested three times in September for various offenses.
WHERE:
KCRA - The search is taking place in Iowa Hill, Placer County, California.
KCRA - Spencer was arrested in Sacramento County prior to the search.
KCRA - A fire near Iowa Hill Road is complicating the search efforts.
WHEN:
KCRA - Spencer was released from Sacramento County Jail on Thursday, Sept. 17.
KCRA - Spencer was arrested on Sept. 3 for felony vandalism, assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, and resisting arrest.
KCRA - Spencer was arrested on Sept. 14 for burglary.
KCRA - Spencer was arrested on Sept. 16 for stealing a vehicle.
KCRA - Spencer was released on bond for the sheriff's office arrests on Sept. 3 and Sept. 16.
WHY:
KCRA - Spencer is being pursued due to his involvement in violent incidents, including murder and firearm offenses.
HOW:
NY Post - Spencer fired shots at law enforcement officers and helicopters assisting in the search.
KCRA - Spencer evaded authorities by fleeing into the woods after ramming a patrol vehicle.
(UPDATED September 21, 2026 05:00 UTC)
Authorities are searching for a suspect named Spencer, who is believed to have shot a woman before fleeing into a dense forest. The sheriff's office confirmed that tactical teams discovered the body of an adult female inside the home where Spencer had been earlier, and the search is proving difficult due to the area's steep and rugged terrain. During the manhunt, Spencer reportedly fired shots at law enforcement officers and helicopters that were assisting in the operation.
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(UPDATED September 21, 2026 04:00 UTC)
Authorities are actively searching for 44-year-old Derek Spencer, who is wanted for the armed murder of a woman in Iowa Hill, California, and is considered armed and dangerous. Spencer has a history of violent incidents, including pointing a firearm at people, ramming a patrol vehicle, and firing shots at law enforcement, prompting residents to lock their doors and stay indoors. The search is being led by the Placer County Sheriff's Office, and efforts are being complicated by a fire near Iowa Hill Road.