The teen boy accused of being the shooter in the Caleb Quick murder trial appeared in court Thursday as attorneys on both sides said they are still working with experts to evaluate the case ahead of a potential transfer hearing.

Families and supporters from both sides were present in the courtroom.

The defense told the court they are still working with their expert to evaluate the minor charged and said there is another interview scheduled between the minor and the expert. They asked the court to continue the hearing.

Prosecutors agreed to the continuation, saying their expert is also not ready.

The purpose of the hearings is to schedule a transfer hearing, where a judge will determine whether the minor will be charged as an adult or remain in juvenile court.

After granting the continuation, the judge approved a request allowing the alleged shooter to have a phone call with his mother within 24 hours.

Father of the Victim Hopes for Resolution

Following the hearing, Stephen Quick, the victim’s father, said he does not believe it is fair that the teen in custody would be granted a phone call.

“I would love to get a call from my son,’ Quick said.

As the case continues to face delays, Quick described the process as “par for the course.”

He said there are only a handful of experts who work on cases like this. Because both the prosecution and defense must use one of those experts, the pool is limited, contributing to delays.

Still, he emphasized the toll the wait has taken.

“It’s been 309 days since my son was taken from me,” he said.

Quick said he is hoping for resolution. He added that seeing the teens charged in the case — both the alleged shooter and the alleged getaway driver — makes him sad because of their decision to commit this type of crime.

Referring to the upcoming transfer hearing, Quick said he would be sad for the community if the court decides to charge them as juveniles, saying they committed an adult crime and should not receive a minimal sentence that juvenile court would provide under the law.

Alleged Getaway Driver Transfer Hearing Delayed Till April

The juvenile girl accused of serving as the getaway driver in the killing of Quick last appeared in court on Feb. 9 as a packed courtroom of the victim’s family and friends, along with the suspect’s parents, looked on.

Prosecutors said they are still waiting for an expert witness and were not prepared to proceed with a previously scheduled March transfer hearing, where a judge would decide whether the girl should be tried as an adult or remain in juvenile court.

The hearing was continued to April 13 over defense objections, which cited the girl’s nine months in custody. The judge found good cause for the delay and approved the new date. The court believes that the transfer hearing will be a maximum of five days.

Defense attorneys warned they will seek their client’s release if the case is delayed beyond April 13, a date that falls 10 days before the one-year anniversary of the killing.

Accused Shooter Transfer Hearing Scheduling Delayed

The 16-year-old boy accused in the fatal shooting of Quick previously last appeared in court Jan. 8, with family members from both sides present.

Defense attorneys said they recently received additional evidence from the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office and noted that experts for both the defense and prosecution are still working on the case.

The defense said it was not prepared to proceed with a transfer hearing scheduling, which will determine whether the minor will be tried as an adult.

Prosecutors agreed to the delay, and the judge continued the settlement hearing to Feb. 26.

Timeline of April 23 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 April 23 homicide of Quick as “targeted and planned.”

Police responded to reports of gunfire near Willow and Nees avenues at 8:57 p.m.

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

Investigators said 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 fled west toward Fresno and climbed into the Tesla about a minute later. A handgun was recovered during a search warrant, Clovis Police Chief Curt Fleming said.

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

Clovis police announced the arrests on May 9. At a news conference the following day, Fleming said both teens were Clovis Unified School District students and knew the victim.

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