IN-DEPTH: Family of murdered marine veteran demand answers one week after ambush in Mexico | News

TUCSON, Ariz. (KVOA) – It has been a week since Nicholas Douglas Quets was ambushed and killed on the Caborca-Altar Highway, his family says he was headed to the beach in Rocky Point with friends.

Sonoran officials are investigating the shooting and so far there has been no word of any suspects.

Nicholas was a marine veteran and most recently a Pima County employee that worked on water reclamation projects.

On Friday News 4 Tucson’s Chief Investigative Reporter Chorus Nylander sat down with Nicholas’ father, mother, sister, brother-in-law and his ex-wife that he remained close to.

They are struggling to figure out how to live without Nicholas and thinking of an all too empty seat they will have during the upcoming holidays.

“That guy who walked through the door, that guy who played with his nephew, that guy I could call for anything, that guy who would help anyone of his friends, he was taken. He was taken by some very bad people that need to be held to account,” his father Warren D. Quets said.

Inside the Quets home, they have created a special memorial for Nicholas with flowers, candles, a picture, his ashes and the flag he swore to protect.

His father, who is also a distinguished veteran, feels like he is now on another mission he must see through.

“I know my son was in an ambush last Friday night. I feel like I’m stuck in that ambush zone right now and nobody is coming to get me,” he explained.

His family has been left with memories of a strong man that always was there to lend a hand and help.

“He was an avid outdoorsman and he lived his life with a full gusto and passion,” his father remembered.

“He was funny and I always felt safe when Nicholas was around,” his ex-wife Karime Quets said.

“Nick was my son’s favorite person in the world and for a two and a half year old that’s a really high accomplishment,” said brother-in-law Phil Sweet.

His sister Alexis was also there but too grief stricken to find words to say. 

Nicholas’ mother Patricia Quets broke down in tears telling us, “We can’t change the horrific death of my son but we can ensure that this doesn’t happen to another mother, we have the power to change this.”

His family feels as though they have been left in the dark. They know Mexican authorities are investigating and didn’t express any concern over the credibility of that investigation but are upset that they haven’t been contacted by any high ranking officials from our government.

“[the fact] That my own elected administration hasn’t reached out to me a week later is insane,” said Warren.

 

He said his family is typically apolitical but was impressed by Republican Presidential and Vice Presidential nominees Donald Trump and JD Vance.

Vance spoke with them during his Tucson rally on Tuesday and Trump met with them during an event in Tempe Thursday.

“Both President Trump and Senator Vance asked me what they could do,” Warren said.

 

He explained to them several ideas he has on how the cartel situation could be handled based on his military experience. 

What he wants to see happen now is for the U.S. government to be directly involved in the investigation of his son’s murder and for any suspects to be extradited.

He believes the RICO act could be used to connect the case to U.S. jurisdiction.

News 4 Tucson reached out to multiple federal agencies such as the State Department, Department of Justice, FBI and the White House asking about the case and if they would or could be involved in the investigation.

Only the FBI responded, it referred us to the White House’s National Security Council which we have not heard back from.

Until his son gets justice and the overall violence is addressed, Warren doesn’t believe he can start mourning his son’s death fully.

“I’ll process my son once I know I did all I can to stop other people from going through the same thing,” he said.

This violence is not an isolated incident, back in August two elderly women from Arizona were gunned down in the same general area. 

Most Arizona travelers to Rocky Point take Highway 8 through the Lukeville Port of Entry, which is considered to be safer and the recommended route from the State Department for government employees.

It’s unclear if Nicholas was aware of any advisories in the area or why the route was chosen, his family said he began his journey into Mexico from Nogales. 

Warren said the route shouldn’t matter because such danger shouldn’t be lurking so close to our borders. 

He said “we have an uncontrolled border” and believes the same violence will spread into U.S. communities if something isn’t done. 

Nicholas’ family met with the FBI afternoon. They say thy were given assurances Mexican authorities are investigating, but given few details to protect the integrity of the investigation. 

The family has set up a GoFundMe it says will be used to start a scholarship in Nicholas’ honor. You can find the fundraiser here.