The Oakland community is mourning the loss of John Beam, a revered Laney College football coach and athletic director, after officials confirmed his death in what police describe as a “targeted” shooting. Beam, a mentor to thousands and a national figure thanks to his appearance in the Netflix series Last Chance U, died Friday morning from gunshot wounds sustained a day earlier.
A Community Icon Gone
Outgoing Police Chief Floyd Mitchell opened Friday’s briefing by honoring Beam’s legacy, calling him “a man deeply beloved in this community.” Beam, 66, spent more than four decades shaping young athletes in Oakland, many of whom credit him with changing — and saving — their lives.
Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee echoed those sentiments, emphasizing that Beam’s influence “isn’t measured in championships, but in the thousands of young people he believed in and refused to abandon.”
Beam’s family released a statement expressing their devastation and gratitude for community support.
Suspect Arrested After Overnight Search
Police announced the arrest of 27-year-old Cedric Irving Jr., a former football player, early Friday morning. Irving was located by an Alameda County sheriff’s deputy at the San Leandro BART station, carrying two duffle bags. Authorities believe Beam was specifically targeted, though they have not released a motive.
According to Assistant Police Chief James Beere, Irving “knew Beam, but they did not have a relationship.” Investigators clarified the shooting was not robbery-related and that the suspect had been “on campus for a specific reason.”
Irving has not yet been charged.
Technology Helped Track Suspect
Police said they combed through hundreds of hours of surveillance footage — from Ring doorbell cameras to bus recordings — to identify and track the suspect. A firearm recovered by investigators matches the caliber of bullets found at the scene.
Authorities said that without surveillance technology, “our community would have been put further at risk.”
Beam’s Final Day
Beam was shot just before noon Thursday near the Laney College Fieldhouse, steps away from the football field where he worked for decades. He was rushed to Highland Hospital, where family, former players and colleagues gathered through the night.
Loved ones described Beam as a “second-chance coach” — someone who fed players when they were hungry, helped them with schoolwork, and held them accountable both on and off the field.
A Mentor Across Generations
Beam’s coaching career started in San Diego, but he became a Bay Area giant during his tenure at Skyline High School in the 1980s. He led the school to:
- 15 league championships
- Four undefeated seasons
He went on to elevate Laney College into one of the top junior college football programs in the country. More than 20 of his athletes reached the NFL, including seven who played in the Super Bowl.
Beam’s national profile grew when Laney College was featured in the 2020 season of Netflix’s Last Chance U, showcasing his demanding yet compassionate coaching style.
His coaching philosophy, as he once told reporters, focused on building good people, not just good athletes:
“It was always about teaching student-athletes how to fit into society and be true to your word.”
Family and Former Players Reflect
Dozens of supporters describe Beam as a father figure:
- Piedmont Police Chief Frederick Shavies said Beam supported him after the death of his own father.
- Longtime friend Sean Bullard called him “an uncle-dad-best-friend all wrapped in one.”
- Former students said he often picked them up before sunrise for training, checked their grades, and pushed them toward opportunities they never imagined.
Beam had retired from coaching in 2024 but returned to Laney as athletic director.
Ongoing Investigation
The motive behind the targeted killing remains unknown. Irving’s family told reporters they are shocked, with his brother insisting, “The Cedric I knew wasn’t capable of murder.”
Police continue to investigate and expect charges to be filed soon.
