Gunman who sparked terror in small California town was arrested three times in a month before shooting dead elderly homeowner

A gunman who murdered a local government worker in Northern California before cops shot him dead committed several crimes in the weeks before the attack.

Derek Spencer, 44, was detained three times in September — weeks before he killed longtime former Placer County District Attorney’s Office employee Cheryl Macy over the weekend.

The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office noted he was arrested for felony vandalism, assault with a deadly weapon on a Sacramento sheriff’s deputy, and resisting arrest on Sept. 3.

Eleven days later, Spencer was arrested in Folsom County on a burglary charge. And then, less than a week after that, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office nabbed him on a charge of stealing a vehicle on Sept. 16.

But he was released on bond on Sept. 11 and again Sept. 17. For his third arrest, a judge granted him a pre-arraignment release, according to KCRA.

Law enforcement officials believe Spencer killed Macy as he ran from law enforcement following further crimes, including pointing a firearm at people in Placer County.

Police encountered the criminal last Sunday morning, but he managed to ram a police vehicle and get away.

Spencer escaped again after police found him later that day shooting at a police helicopter and other deputies. A helicopter eventually found him early Monday morning using infrared technology.

The on-the-run criminal began a shootout with police as they closed in on him. After more than 2 hours, police shot him dead, ending his crime spree around 4:30 a.m. Monday.

A helicopter was needed to move his body because he had started multiple fires in the area. Officials suspect Spencer started the Mineral Fire, which has only spread 18 acres, with 20% containment as of Tuesday morning.

Loved ones mourned Macy, who officials believe was not known to Spencer. She worked for Placer County from 2006 to 2020, the district attorney’s office said.

“She was a valued colleague, a friend, and a cherished member of our DA family,” the DA’s office said in a statement.

“The loss of Cheryl is devastating to our office and to the entire community. Our hearts are with her family, and everyone who knew and loved her. We ask that their privacy be respected.”

Her granddaughter told KCRA that she will miss Macy’s distinct hugs.

“I used to just give her, like, a hug and squeeze it tight and she used to tell me she was like, ‘nope, you have to squeeze me three times’ and I was trying to figure out why and she said it was, the ‘I love you squeeze,’” she said.

Addison added, “When you squeeze three times, it meant I love you, and I used to be like my favorite thing as something I always hold with me from her was that because she was the only person who’s ever done that and told me that.”

Spencer’s unforgettable crime spree could have California residents pointing fingers at the Golden State’s much-maligned criminal justice system, which has faced extensive past criticism for being too soft on crime.

Neighbors in the area told KCRA that they were infuriated that Spencer wasn’t behind bars before his crime spree.

“She didn’t need to die like that. There’s no reason for it, you know?” a neighbor of Macy’s said.

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