Trump Writes Letter to Father of Caleb Quick as Cases Advance in Court

President Donald Trump wrote to Stephen Quick of Clovis expressing condolences over the killing of his son, Caleb Quick, according to a letter from the White House.

In the letter, Trump and first lady Melania Trump said they are “devastated by the senseless loss of your beloved son, Caleb, and we are heartbroken for your entire family.”

Trump also wrote, “Your son will be held in my heart, and I promise never to forget or forgive the terrible events that took him from us.” He continued, “Please know that my Administration will never stop fighting to clean up our streets and ensure law and order in our Nation.”

Stephen Quick ‘Shocked’ and ‘Ecstatic’

Stephen Quick told GV Wire he was “shocked and ecstatic,” adding that he felt the president cares and he did not expect a response.

He said that he feels like there is a “pandemic of teen violence,” adding that he believes teens are increasingly involved in violent crime, including homicide, and said he hopes the attention leads to change.

“Hopefully we can make change in this state,” he said.

Stephen Quick said one detail stood out to him as a sign of authenticity: “The ink went through the back,” referring to what he believed showed the letter was personally signed by Trump.

He emailed the White House about two months ago, Stephen Quick said, asking whether federal officials could do anything to influence California justice policy involving juveniles.

He said he wants changes related to Proposition 57, which allows judges rather than county district attorneys to decide whether minors are tried as adults.

Quick said he and other families will gather Aug. 13 at the state capital in Sacramento, with nearly 40 families across California expected to join. All have similar experiences involving juvenile defendants accused of serious crimes.

What Is Happening in the Cases

The male teen accused of being the shooter in the killing of Caleb Quick has a transfer hearing scheduled for Sept. 1.

That proceeding is expected to last about five days and a judge will determine whether the minor will be tried as an adult or remain under juvenile jurisdiction.

The female teen accused of acting as the getaway driver had her transfer hearing completed, with a judge ruling she will be tried as a minor.

Her trial is scheduled to begin July 28 and is expected to last 10 days. Because she is being tried as a minor, she will not have a jury.

Timeline of the Murder

Quick, 18, was shot to death on April 23, 2025, outside of a McDonald’s restaurant in Clovis.

The Clovis Police Department described the homicide as “targeted and planned.”

That day, police responded at 8:57 p.m. to reports of gunfire near Willow and Nees avenues.

Officers found Quick with a gunshot wound to the head. He was transported to a hospital, where he died.

Investigators say the suspects arrived in a 2024 white Tesla Model 3 at a McDonald’s restaurant around 7:44 p.m. and left the lot at 8:12 p.m. Quick arrived at 8:22 p.m., followed by the male shooting suspect, who headed toward the restaurant around 8:33 p.m.

The Tesla returned to the parking lot moments later and parked several rows away. Surveillance video showed the shooting suspect entering the McDonald’s at 8:38 p.m., sitting briefly, and then following Quick outside.

Police said the shooting occurred as Quick approached his car. The shooting suspect ran west toward the city of Fresno and climbed into the Tesla about a minute later. Willow Avenue is the border between the two cities.

A handgun was later recovered during a search warrant, Clovis Police Chief Curt Fleming said.

Surveillance footage showed the suspects leaving the scene before officers arrived.

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The post Trump Writes Letter to Father of Caleb Quick as Cases Advance in Court appeared first on GV Wire.