California Manhunt Underway After Armed Suspect Allegedly Points Gun at People and Fires at Officers

California authorities are conducting a search for a man they describe as armed and dangerous after a woman was allegedly killed and gunfire was directed at other people, officials said.

The Placer County Sheriff’s Office identified the suspect as 44-year-old Derek Spencer, who is wanted on multiple felony charges. Investigators say Spencer allegedly pointed a gun at people in Placer County earlier Sunday.

Deputies later located Spencer in the Iowa Hill area while responding to the initial reports. Authorities said he rammed a patrol vehicle and escaped, prompting a large-scale manhunt.

Officials said Spencer opened fire toward law enforcement officers and helicopters involved in the operation. No officers were hurt during the search.

Residents in and around Iowa Hill have been instructed to secure their homes, lock their doors and stay indoors.

In a Sunday evening update, the sheriff’s office said the search was still underway. Authorities noted that the operation has been complicated by the area’s vast size, thick forests and steep, rugged landscape.

As deputies continued looking for Spencer, they discovered a woman’s body and said they believe he was responsible for her death.

“While tactical teams were clearing a residence where Spencer had been earlier, they found an adult woman who had been shot and killed inside,” deputies said. “Based on the investigation so far, Spencer is believed to have killed her before escaping into the nearby forest.”

Several other law enforcement agencies are assisting the Placer County Sheriff’s Office with the ongoing operation.

“Teams will continue searching through the night and will not let up until we locate this armed and extremely dangerous individual,” the sheriff’s office said.

The sheriff’s office said Spencer is bald and has a goatee.