California Suspect Arrested Three Times in Two Weeks Before Fatal Rampage, Prosecutors Say
Derek Spencer, who allegedly killed a former DA's office employee, was released on bail after each arrest, leading to renewed criticism of California's bail reform.
A California man, Derek Spencer, 44, was arrested three times within two weeks and subsequently released before he allegedly killed a former Placer County District Attorney’s Office employee and engaged in a shootout with deputies, according to authorities.
Prosecutors stated that they sought to keep Spencer in custody after he allegedly assaulted a Sacramento County sheriff’s deputy. Despite these efforts, Spencer posted bail after each arrest and was released. His crime spree culminated in the death of 76-year-old Cheryl Macy, a former employee of the Placer County District Attorney’s Office.
"Sadly, this should never have occurred but bail reform in California has prioritized criminal offenders over victims," the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement to Fox News Digital. Spencer was killed early Monday after allegedly firing on Placer County sheriff’s deputies during a standoff in the forest near Iowa Hill.
Authorities reported that Spencer also set two fires as tactical teams approached, necessitating an overnight helicopter rescue of three SWAT operators endangered by the flames.
The sequence of events began on Sept. 3, when Sacramento County deputies arrested Spencer on suspicion of felony vandalism, resisting arrest, and assaulting a deputy with a deadly weapon. Charges were filed on Sept. 8, including felony assault with a deadly weapon and attempting to prevent an officer from performing their duties. Prosecutors requested that Spencer be held without bail, but a judge set it, and he was released on Sept. 11 after posting bail.
Folsom police arrested Spencer again around 11 p.m. on Sept. 13 on suspicion of burglary after responding to an alarm at a model home. He was booked into jail and released on his own recognizance the following day. Two days later, Sacramento County deputies arrested him for allegedly stealing a vehicle. He posted bail and was released on Sept. 17.
Spencer failed to appear in court on Sept. 18 for a preliminary hearing in the deputy-assault case, leading a judge to issue a warrant. While prosecutors were still reviewing the burglary and vehicle theft reports, Spencer allegedly stole another vehicle and firearms and fired at a moving vehicle in El Dorado County on Sept. 19. The next day, Placer County deputies began searching for him after he was accused of pointing a gun at victims.
Deputies located Spencer in the Iowa Hill area, but he allegedly rammed a patrol vehicle and escaped. Authorities reported that he later fired at deputies and helicopters, initiating an intensive manhunt and prompting warnings for residents to stay indoors.
As tactical teams cleared a home where Spencer had been, they discovered Macy shot to death inside. Investigators believe Spencer killed Macy before fleeing into the surrounding forest. No prior connection between Spencer and Macy has been publicly identified.
A California Highway Patrol aircraft located Spencer shortly before 2:30 a.m. Monday. As deputies approached, Spencer allegedly opened fire, leading to a standoff. Drone footage reportedly showed him starting two fires.
Around 4 a.m., Spencer reportedly fired again, and deputies returned fire, fatally striking him, according to the sheriff’s office. The fires threatened SWAT operators, leading to a specialized night-hoist rescue of three operators by the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office RAVEN aviation unit.
The Placer County Sheriff’s Office described the incident as a "dangerous crime spree that took a tragic turn, resulting in the loss of an innocent life." The Sacramento County DA’s office cited the California Supreme Court’s recent Kowalczyk decision, arguing it limits judges' ability to detain repeat offenders before trial.
"While the District Attorney’s Office has and will continue to argue that dangerous and repeat offenders like Derek Spencer remain in custody, California must repeal the Kowalczyk decision and change the law to prioritize victims when addressing bail," the office stated.
The Placer County DA’s office added that Spencer’s repeated releases raised "serious questions" about whether state law provides judges sufficient power to prevent such tragedies.
Macy had worked for the Placer County DA's office from 2006 to 2020 and was remembered by colleagues for her energy and warmth. Placer County District Attorney Morgan Gire noted at a board of supervisors meeting that her death had devastated the office and the community.
The fatal deputy-involved shooting and Macy’s death are currently under investigation.