Inglewood Community Remembers Dr. Cameisha Clark, Dean of Aviation School, After Tragic Shooting

By: Eye On Inglewood Staff Writer

www.eyeoninglewood.com

The Inglewood community is saddened following the tragic death of Dr. Cameisha Clark, the Dean of Student Affairs at Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology. Dr. Clark, an accomplished graduate of Clark Atlanta University (CAU), was killed in a targeted shooting by a former employee.

A Legacy of Excellence

Dr. Cameisha Clark's impressive educational journey included earning her Bachelor's degree in 2011, her Master's degree in 2013, and her Educational Doctorate in 2020, all from CAU. A proud alumna of Mays High School, where she graduated in 2007, Dr. Clark had made significant contributions to academia throughout her career, including a role at CAU. She was a cherished member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, having been initiated at CAU, and had also cheered for the CAU team as a student.

Dr. Clark was known for her advocacy against gun violence, founding the C Squared foundation in Atlanta to promote safe communities.

A Community Shocked

On Friday, May 2, tragedy struck when former Spartan security guard Jesse Figueroa arrived at the college dressed in security attire and opened fire on Dr. Clark and her assistant in what authorities described as an execution-style attack.

A nearby worker recounted the chaos, stating, "I came onto the lot we were told there was an active shooter next door and to get into safety in the shop over here." After the incident, the suspect fled the scene but was apprehended by law enforcement a few hours later.

Remembering Dr. Clark

On Monday, family members announced the heartbreaking news that Dr. Clark had succumbed to her injuries. "We are beyond devastated. Cameisha's life was taken from us far too soon in an act of senseless violence that no woman should ever endure," the family stated. "She was an amazing person who didn't deserve this. She was living her best life doing the work she loved."

Dr. Clark's assistant remains hospitalized as community members come to grips with the loss. Those who knew Dr. Clark remember her as a bright, driven individual with a kind spirit.

Mayor James Butts praised local law enforcement for their swift response during the crisis: "We give great kudos to the Inglewood Police Department, our investigators, and the LAPD officers who were vigilant, took the vehicle description, and took him into custody."

The mayor also emphasized the gravity of the situation: "This did not happen by chance. This was not a random act of violence."

Dr. Clark's family legacy also resonates within the community—she was the granddaughter of Dr. Bettye Clark, a long-serving faculty member at CAU and former Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

As Inglewood reflects on this tragic loss, the community remembers Dr. Cameisha Clark not only for her professional accomplishments but for her compassionate spirit and dedication to making a difference.