Funeral service to take place for Clark Atlanta graduate killed in California shooting
Friends and family of Clark Atlanta graduate Dr. Cameisha Denise Clark will gather today in Atlanta to honor her life and legacy at her funeral.
Clark was killed in what police say was a targeted shooting at Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology in Inglewood, California. Jesse Figueroa, a former security guard at the university, was arrested and charged in the workplace shooting.
Clark attended Clark Atlanta University and earned three degrees there. The university has now set up a scholarship fund in her honor.
ATLANTA - Family and friends will gather in Atlanta today to celebrate the life of a Clark Atlanta graduate Dr. Cameisha Denise Clark.
Clark was killed earlier in May in what police say was a targeted shooting at the California college where she worked. The alleged gunman is facing murder charges.
SEE MORE: Remembering Dr. Cameisha Clark: CAU alumna, college dean gunned down in California
The backstory
On Friday, May 2, police say former security guard Jesse Figueroa returned to Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology in Inglewood, California, in security clothes and shot Clark and her assistant.
While a potential motive behind the deadly violence has not been released, police have called it a targeted, execution-style shooting.
Figueroa was charged with murder, attempted murder and several counts for possessing a firearm as a felon. He also faces gun sentencing enhancements, which can lead to additional penalties when a gun is used during a crime.
Figueroa will appear in court this week and faces a maximum sentence of life in state prison if convicted as charged.
The university said Dr. Clark had recently been promoted to Dean of Student Affairs before her tragic death.
What we know
A public viewing for Clark was held on Monday in Atlanta.
On Tuesday, the family will hold Clark's private funeral at 11 a.m. at Cascade United Methodist Church on Cascade Road.
She will be buried at Willow Lake Memorial Gardens in Fort Valley, Georgia.
The family has requested that any words of comfort and flowers be sent to the church. Pink crosses, white wreaths, white hearts and white standing sprays would be deeply appreciated.
Dig deeper
Just two months before her killing, Clark Atlanta University's School of Education spotlighted Clark for her phenomenal career as a "Triple Panther." Their Instagram post highlighted the three-time alumnus who earned her undergraduate, Master's, and Educational Doctorate degrees from CAU and even worked at the college at one point.
The granddaughter of the former interim provost and vice president for academic affairs, Clark's life was tied to the Atlanta university. She was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and was initiated into the Alpha Pi Chapter at CAU. She was also a former CAU cheerleader.
A week after her death, the school announced the creation of the Dr. Cameisha Clark Scholarship Fund, which will help support students who are following Clark in studying education.
The Source
Information for this story came from the family of Dr. Cameisha Denise Clark and previous FOX 5 reporting.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Newsweek
This Small Town Is Seeking a 225% Property Tax Increase
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Homeowners in the small town of Wellington, Utah, could soon be facing much larger property tax bills as city authorities are seeking a more than 225 percent increase after years of stalling rates. A looming decision on the property tax hike was postponed on Wednesday by the Wellington City Council after an hourslong public hearing on the same day revealed the depth of residents' concerns over the potential financial burden they could shoulder from a hike. It is a burden that has gotten heavier for millions of Americans across the country in recent years, as property tax bills have raised in step with home values following the pandemic homebuying frenzy. Nationwide, according to a report by Redfin, property taxes rose by nearly 30 percent between 2019 and 2024, reaching a monthly median of $250. 'A Pretty Harsh Thing To Swallow' Under the proposal made by Wellington authorities, the property tax on a $256,000 residence would increase from $216.41 to $704.00, which is $487.59 per year. The tax on a $256,000 business would increase from $393.47 to $1,280.00, which is $886.53 per year. During the public hearing on Wednesday, Wellington Mayor Jack Clark told a room packed with residents critical of introducing such a steep increase that the hike was necessary. "This is a pretty harsh thing to swallow," Clark said, as reported by Castle Country Radio. The revenues generated by higher property taxes, he said, will be used for public safety, road repairs, utilities, and other operations essential to keep the city running." Newsweek reached out to the mayor's office via email. A low-angle shot of house construction in Utah. A low-angle shot of house construction in Utah. Getty Images The tax hike, if implemented, would bring the city's revenues up to $1,646,775—which would still leave a gap of $26,550 when compared to Wellington's total expenses, which amount to $1,673,325 according to the city. Without the tax hike, the city would face a shortfall of $400,000. "This is about preserving the city we have and preserving the future," Clark said. The Highest Increase in the State—but Not the Only One The 225.3 percent property tax hike requested by Wellington authorities was the highest sought by in the entire state of Utah for 2026, according to data shared by the Utah Taxpayers Association, an advocacy group calling for lower taxes and sound tax policy in the state. "Wellington is a victim of its previous elected officials not being willing to make the hard decisions," a spokesperson for the Utah Taxpayers Association told Newsweek. "While the mayor explained in his comments [on Wednesday] that those before him could have done more to prevent such a dramatic increase, he's now left having to figure out how to get the city in a good spot, financially speaking." But Wellington was not the only small town in the state that pursued double-digit increases. Uintah City was seeking a property tax increase of 100 percent; Gunnison City of 78.89 percent; Eureka City of 72.21 percent; Howell City of 65.86 percent; and Willard City of 45.51 percent. Some of these cities still have to hold truth-in-taxation hearings during which residents have a chance to comment on the proposal's to hike their property taxes. During such a meeting on Wednesday, Wellington residents expressed their concerns over such a massive increase being suddenly implemented. "I'm heartbroken because I thought this would be a forever house," resident Erin Hansen said during the meeting, as reported by Castle Country Radio. "But the reality is these taxes are going to be more than my mortgage. I can't afford to live here." City authorities say the proposed hike is so high because Wellington has not increased property taxes since 2017. But residents think that officials should not try to make up for lost time in one large hike. "I'm imploring you guys to make some of those overdue needs overdue some more," resident Bill Barnes said. According to the Utah Taxpayers Association, the state system is setup up "such that elected officials cannot ignore property taxes. They need to make hard decisions and work hard with their constituents to educate and inform them as to why an increase is needed." The group applauds the current elected officials for "having the courage to get Wellington back in the black in its finances but caution them to not forget about property taxes in 5-7 years when it will likely be time to make another adjustment." What Happens Next While the decision to postpone a potential approval of the hike was something of a victory for local residents, city officials could still decide to green light the 225 percent increase later in the year. Wellington City Council has until October to make a decision over the hike.
The Hill
3 days ago
- The Hill
Clark becomes highest-ranking Democrat to accuse Israel of ‘genocide' in Gaza
House Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.), the number two House Democrat, called Israel's actions in Gaza a 'genocide' in remarks earlier this week. 'We each have to continue to have an open heart about how we do this, how we do it effectively, and how we take action in time to make a difference, whether that is stopping the starvation and genocide and destruction of Gaza, or whether that means we are working together to stop the redistricting that is going on, taking away the vote from people in order to retain power,' Clark said during a Thursday event in her district hosted by Friends Committee on National Legislation. Clark is now the highest-ranking House Democrat to use the term 'genocide' to describe the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. She joins other lawmakers, including Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), who have said the same. The Hill reached out to Clark's office for comment. During the Thursday event, constituents questioned the Massachusetts Democrat over her acceptance of $371,187 from the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), as shown in a video posted by a reporter at The Greyzone News. 'In the past, I have taken AIPAC money, but again, that is not saying you're not going to do what is right here,' she answered. 'I understand that for some of you that's a red line.' Criticism in recent months has mounted against Israel and Prime Minister Netanyahu over its war in Gaza. This week, Netanyahu said he has no choice but to ' finish the job ' in Gaza. During the 22-month war, which began after Hamas attacked Israel in 2023, the death toll has risen to over 60,000 people, and the enclave is experiencing mass starvation according to U.N. sources, which Netanyahu denies. Netanyahu has floated the relocation of Palestinians as the Middle Eastern country has been in talks with South Sudan about taking in people. 'I think that the right thing to do, even according to the laws of war as I know them, is to allow the population to leave, and then you go in with all your might against the enemy who remains there,' Netanyahu said in an interview with i24, and Israeli TV station last week.
Axios
4 days ago
- Axios
Watershed moment on Gaza
House Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) referred to Israel's war in Gaza as a "genocide" during an event in her district yesterday. Why it matters: Clark is easily the highest-ranking member of Congress to use that word to describe the situation in Gaza. According to the news outlet Zeteo, 13 other House members have used the word "genocide" — a dozen progressive Democrats plus right-wing Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.). Clark is the No. 2 to House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who has been critical of the Israeli government at times but generally supportive of the country throughout his career. What they're saying: "Whip Clark's position on the war has not changed," Clark spokesperson Joy Lee said in a statement. "Security and peace for the Palestinian and Israeli people can only be achieved through a permanent ceasefire, the immediate return of the remaining hostages, and a surge of humanitarian aid to Gaza. "It should not be controversial to say that Israeli children did not deserve to be kidnapped and murdered by Hamas, nor should it be controversial to say that Palestinian children, who bear no responsibility for Hamas' atrocities, do not deserve to be killed by war or starvation."
