How did Clovis police find suspects in death of Caleb Quick? Here’s a timeline
The hunt for the suspected killer of Caleb Quick came to an end Saturday after Clovis police Chief Curt Fleming announced the arrests of two 16-year-olds.
Fleming said both teens turned themselves in at police headquarters and retained an attorney. Fleming said they believe the suspects, who are Clovis Unified high-school students, had a dating relationship.
Both were charged with the killing of Quick, 18, a student at Clovis Online School.
Police recovered a gun believed to be used during the shooting from the suspected shooter’s home, Fleming said.
Fleming said police forwarded the case to the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office, which will review it to see if any charges will be filed.
“Ultimately, it’s up to the judge,” Fleming said, who expects the decision to be made by Wednesday.
Here is a timeline of events as police searched for Quick’s alleged killers.
April 23: Quick killed in McDonald’s parking lot
Officers arrived outside the McDonald’s at the Willow Station shopping center at Willow and Nees avenues shortly about 9 p.m. and found Quick with at least one gunshot wound. He was taken to a local hospital, where he died.
Quick attended Clovis Online School, which is a charter program that is not affiliated with a specific high school campus.
The McDonald’s where the slaying took place is known to be a popular hangout spot for Clovis teens. Friends of Quick said they often gathered outside the fast-food restaurant.
What led up to the shooting and possible motive remain under investigation.
The suspect was described to be wearing black clothing, including a pullover hoodie, who fled on foot in an unknown direction with a gun.
Clovis Unified released a statement following the slaying:
“The news that one of our Clovis Online School students was the victim of a shooting last night hits our student and educational community hard, and our hearts go out to his family and loved ones,” Clovis Unified superintendent Corrine Folmer said.
“The student who was killed was a current senior at our charter school Clovis Online School and previously attended Buchanan High School. We are a connected community, and we know that students across our campuses may be personally impacted or have witnessed this incident. Today, we have taken extra steps to support our students with emotional wellness resources on campus along with extra campus police officers on many of our school sites to assure our parents of the safety of our schools. Our schools have also provided information to parents about support available to their children.”
May 2: Police reveal Quick was stalked by killer
The teen suspected of killing Caleb Quick outside the popular McDonald’s in Clovis stalked the teen inside the fast-food restaurant before Quick’s death and had help escaping the scene, according to Clovis police.
Fleming released surveillance video showing Quick and his two friends entered the McDonald’s at Willow and Nees avenues and talked inside the restaurant for 13 minutes the night of the killing.
Moments later, the suspect entered the restaurant in all-black clothing with a hoodie — Fleming said “you can barely see his eyes” — and sat a distance away and watched Quick.
Fleming said the suspect had his hands in his waistband and inside his front pocket and would not move “from his position.”
Quick and his two friends left McDonald’s. The suspect followed as he left the restaurant while Quick’s friends held the door.
Moments later, the suspect shot Quick on the side of the head at least one time shortly before 9 p.m. on April 23 before fleeing westbound on Nees in a getaway vehicle, described as a newer white Tesla.
May 6: Tesla seized
Police seized a newer-model white Tesla in a Fresno neighborhood.
Police served a search warrant at a home and located a parked Tesla in the garage, which was towed for evidence.
The reward for a tip leading to the arrest of the homicide suspect doubled to $40,000.
May 9: Police announce arrests
Police arrested two suspects in connection to the shooting death of Quick.
Fleming announced a press conference for the following day.
May 10: Police Chief says two 16-year-old arrested
Fleming said a 16-year-old boy was the shooter and a 16-year-old girl drove the getaway car. He said both turned themselves in on Friday and that they are students in the Clovis Unified School District, but he wouldn’t say which schools.
The motive is still being investigated.
Quick and the two suspects knew one another, Fleming said. He added that he feels confident the two suspects were at the location when the alleged crime occurred.
The 16-year-old suspects have each been charged with murder, Fleming said.
Though police seized the getaway vehicle and recovered the gun allegedly used in the shooting, many details about the incident remain unanswered.
It’s unclear how, exactly, the suspects and Quick knew each other and how they obtained the gun used in the shooting. Also unclear is whether the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office will decide to charge the suspects as juveniles or adults.
This story was originally published May 12, 2025 at 3:15 PM.
