Slain Clovis teen was saved from arson fire by neighbor’s dog in 2023
The Clovis teen who was shot and killed Wednesday night was once rescued from an arson fire by a neighbor’s labradoodle named Charlie.
About two years ago, Caleb Quick and his family escaped the fast-growing blaze that had spread to their Clovis home thanks to Charlie’s heroic barking.
Quick was shot and killed Wednesday at a McDonald’s, a popular teen hangout at the Willow Station shopping center in Clovis, at Willow and Nees avenues.
Police are investigating what led up to the shooting and a possible motive. The suspect wore black clothing, including a pullover hoodie, and fled on foot with a gun, according to police.
On April 28, 2023, almost two years prior to Wednesday’s fatal shooting, an RV that sat next to Quick’s home caught fire in the middle of the night.
According to the Washington Post, neighbor Chad McCollum, who lived two streets from the Quicks, was awakened at 3 a.m. by his dog Charlie’s constant barking. It was unusual behavior for the dog, who rarely whined or barked, according to the newspaper.
The Post reported McCollum took the dog out because he thought he had to relieve himself, but the barking only got louder. Charlie refused to go back into the home and went to a corner and kept barking when McCollum saw an orange glow and plumes of smoke not far away, according to The Post.
That’s when McCollum ran to the homes and pounded on their front doors, alerting Quick and his family of the blaze, which had spread to their home’s roof.
The Quicks and another family safely escaped, though their home was damaged in the fire.
Stephen Quick, Caleb Quick’s father, told the Washington Post in May 2023, “We 100 percent would not be alive today if it weren’t for Charlie,” because none of the fire alarms had gone off that night.
Police arrested a 47-year-old suspect, who allegedly threw explosives at the RV that was in the side yard of Quick’s home. The suspect was arrested and charged with multiple felonies, including arson, child endangerment, stalking and possession of a destructive device.
Police said Quick’s home was targeted. The suspect, Andrew James Dubbels is at Pleasant Valley State prison and his parole eligibility is set for November 2026, according to court records.
This story was originally published April 24, 2025 at 12:51 PM.
