Family of Slain Spartan College Dean Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Inglewood Campus

The family of Dr. Cameisha Clark, the 35-year-old dean of students who was fatally shot at Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology in May, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Inglewood campus and its security company.

Attorneys Chris Stewart and Rodney Diggs announced the lawsuit on behalf of Clark’s family, alleging the college and security firm negligently hired Jesse Figueroa, a six-time felon with an expired security license who worked as an unarmed security guard at the campus.

“They ignored warning signs and skipped basic checks that would have revealed Figueroa’s past,” Stewart said during a press conference. “This failure put a dangerous man in a position of trust.”

Dr. Clark was killed on May 2, 2025, around 3:40 p.m. Pacific Time inside an office on the Inglewood campus. Another college employee, a 35-year-old woman who served as Clark’s assistant, was also shot and critically injured in the incident.

Figueroa, 40, was arrested near Berendo and Twelfth streets in the Pico-Union area shortly after the shooting. His family called 911 to report the incident, and the gun was found in the backseat of his car. He has been charged with murder, attempted murder, possession of a firearm with a prior violent conviction, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts Jr. described the shooting as “workplace violence” at the time of the incident.

The lawsuit does not currently specify a dollar amount but seeks to understand how Figueroa was hired and allowed to work as a security guard despite his criminal history and expired license.

Clark’s mother, Tywana Williams, said she wants her daughter remembered as “a healer, a mentor” who dedicated her life to helping students succeed.

The case has raised significant concerns about workplace safety protocols and background check procedures at educational institutions in Inglewood. Dr. Clark had recently been promoted to dean of students before the tragic incident.

Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology is a for-profit technical college specializing in aviation maintenance and avionics training.

Sources: ABC7, 2UrbanGirls, Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office