Placer County Sheriff’s Office deputies launched an intensive manhunt Sunday for 44‑year‑old Derek Spencer, who is believed to be armed and dangerous after a series of violent incidents in the Iowa Hill area.

Suspect description and alleged actions

According to the sheriff’s office, Spencer was initially wanted after allegedly pointing a firearm at people earlier Sunday. Later, deputies encountered him in the rugged Iowa Hill region, where he rammed a patrol vehicle before fleeing into dense forest and steep terrain.

Spencer is described as a bald man with a goatee. He is wanted on several felony counts, including unlawful discharge of a firearm and assault with a deadly weapon.

Shooting at law‑enforcement

During the pursuit, Spencer fired multiple shots at law‑enforcement officers and at a helicopter providing aerial support. No officers were injured, but the exchange heightened the urgency of the search.

Victim discovered

While tactical teams cleared a home where Spencer had been earlier, they discovered an adult female inside who had been shot and killed. Deputies believe Spencer murdered the woman before fleeing into the surrounding forest.

Search conditions and public safety advice

The area’s large, densely forested, and rugged landscape makes the search especially challenging, according to the sheriff’s office. Deputies are working through the night and have enlisted multiple law‑enforcement agencies to assist.

Residents of the Iowa Hill area have been urged to lock their doors, remain inside, and avoid the woods until the suspect is apprehended. The sheriff’s office emphasized that the search will continue unabated throughout the night.

Ongoing investigation

The Placer County Sheriff’s Office continues to coordinate with state and federal partners, including the California Highway Patrol and the FBI, to locate Spencer. Anyone with information is asked to contact the sheriff’s office immediately.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.