The safety guard normally arrived at Spartan Faculty of Aeronautics and Expertise to the sound of planes roaring overhead.
He started his shift later within the day on the campus close to Los Angeles Worldwide Airport, in response to college students, and wore a blue, collared shirt as a part of his uniform.
However on Friday, the guard, later recognized as 40-year-old Jesse Figueroa, was allegedly armed with a handgun that he used to shoot two girls — one in every of them fatally, authorities mentioned.
The Los Angeles County district legal professional’s workplace charged Figueroa on Tuesday with homicide, tried homicide, possession of a firearm with prior violent convictions and possession of a firearm by a felon with prior convictions.
The victims, each workers on the school, have been shot inside an administrative constructing, authorities say. One girl — who was wounded however survived — labored within the admissions workplace. The opposite was Cameisha Clark, who had lately been promoted to dean of scholar affairs, in response to her household.
Arriving officers discovered the 2 wounded girls respiratory and nonetheless aware. They have been taken to native hospitals whereas police searched the campus for the shooter.
Figueroa fled the scene in his automobile and was taken into custody lower than three hours later in Koreatown, authorities say.
One taking pictures sufferer stays within the hospital. However Clark died from her accidents Monday at Harbor-UCLA Medical Middle, in response to her household. She was 35.
Clark arrived in California a number of years in the past to additional her profession, in response to her household, who referred to as her a trailblazer and inspiration.
“Cameisha was probably the most compassionate, loving and fiercely loyal particular person,” her household mentioned in an announcement. “She was a radiant, joyful, pushed, and compassionate girl who touched numerous lives throughout the nation from her hometown of Atlanta, GA, to LA.”
Her household mentioned her legacy shouldn’t be outlined by her dying however “by the extraordinary approach she lived.”
Clark earned her bachelor’s diploma in psychology and her grasp’s diploma and academic doctorate in increased schooling from Clark Atlanta College, in response to the college, which lately featured her in an “alumni highlight” publish on social media.
“Cameisha uplifted everybody lucky sufficient to cross her path,” her household mentioned. “Her management, integrity, and deep sense of goal helped form futures of numerous college students from the campus of Clark Atlanta College to Spartan Faculty. She believed within the potential of others even once they couldn’t but see it in themselves.”
Authorities confirmed Figueroa labored as a safety guard for a third-party firm on the Inglewood campus, however haven’t revealed a doable motive. Inglewood Mayor James Butts referred to as the episode an act of “office violence” and never a random taking pictures.
Spartan Faculty Campus President Chris Becker mentioned the college is cooperating with the investigation.
“We’re deeply saddened and upset by what transpired,” Becker mentioned over the weekend, including that counseling providers and help have been being organized for college students and employees.
On Wednesday, there was little indication of the taking pictures from exterior the faculty property. College officers wouldn’t say whether or not there was a memorial on the campus to honor the taking pictures victims.
College students mentioned they noticed Clark on campus every now and then and she or he would say hey as they made their approach between the economic buildings.
“It’s actually tragic,” a scholar who recognized himself solely as Hector mentioned from the sidewalk exterior the executive constructing.
Because the taking pictures, safety has elevated on the campus and lessons stay in session, different college students mentioned.
Figueroa was convicted of theft in 2007, data present. He was arrested on suspicion of assault with a lethal weapon and making a felony menace in the identical case, however these costs have been dismissed as a consequence of a plea deal, in response to court docket data.
Prosecutors allege Figueroa used a handgun to trigger nice bodily damage or dying. Gun sentencing enhancements carry an extra penalty of 25 years to life in state jail for every offense.
“Any scholar, college member or worker ought to really feel protected and safe going to highschool,” Dist. Atty. Nathan Hochman mentioned in an announcement saying the costs.
