INGLEWOOD, CA – The academic community is mourning the loss of Dr. Kamisha Clark, a distinguished alumna of Clark Atlanta University and the recently appointed Dean of Student Affairs at Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology. Dr. Clark was tragically shot on the campus of Spartan College in what authorities have described as a deliberate attack.
Dr. Clark, who earned her undergraduate, master’s, and doctorate degrees from Clark Atlanta University, was recognized in March for her outstanding career achievements. Her rise to the position of dean at Spartan College marked a significant milestone in her professional journey.
The incident unfolded when Jesse Figueroa, a former security guard at Spartan College, allegedly returned to the campus dressed in a security uniform and opened fire on Dr. Clark and her assistant. Inglewood police reported that the shooting appeared to be targeted and execution-style.
In the aftermath, police launched an extensive manhunt for Figueroa, who managed to flee the scene. Thanks to the collaboration between Inglewood police and LAPD, he was eventually apprehended several hours later.
Despite intensive medical efforts, Dr. Clark succumbed to her injuries on Monday, leaving behind a legacy of dedication to education and community service. Her assistant remains hospitalized, receiving treatment for injuries sustained during the attack.
Friends and colleagues remember Dr. Clark as a visionary leader with a compassionate nature. She was a vocal advocate against gun violence, having established a foundation in Atlanta named C-Squared to address firearm-related issues.
The relationship between the suspect and the victims appears to have been professional, as all parties were employed at the college. This connection has prompted further investigation into the motive behind the shooting.
Dr. Clark also had deep familial ties to Clark Atlanta University, being the granddaughter of Dr. Betty Clark, a former faculty member and interim provost at the institution. Her contributions to academia and her community will be profoundly missed.
The tragedy has sent ripples through both the educational community and those who knew Dr. Clark personally, as they grapple with the loss of a promising leader and advocate for change.