Placer County deputies search for murder suspect, Iowa Hill residents asked to stay inside

A man accused of killing a woman died after an hourslong gunbattle with deputies, where time was crucial as flames were closing in, the Placer County Sheriff's Office said Monday. Derek Spencer, 44, is believed to have killed 76-year-old Cheryl Macy and had been on the run for nearly 20 hours, Placer County Sheriff Wayne Woo said during a news briefing. Spencer was first wanted after pointing a firearm at people in Placer County, in addition to other alleged felonies. The sheriff's office said that when Spencer was found by deputies around 10:30 a.m. Sunday, he rammed a vehicle stolen in El Dorado County into one of their patrol vehicles and managed to get away. Woo explained that Spencer had rammed the vehicle with enough force to disable it and prevent it from being able to chase after him.