Tragic Murder Charge Following Shooting of Oakland’s Football Coach John Beam

Tue Nov 18 2025 02:27:35 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Cedric Irving, 27, has been charged with murder in the shooting death of highly respected football coach John Beam in Oakland. The incident, occurring at Laney College, has raised concerns about gun violence in the community.

John Beam, a beloved figure in the Oakland community and former coach featured in Netflix's 'Last Chance U,' was fatally shot on campus, leading to charges against 27-year-old Cedric Irving. The circumstances surrounding the shooting highlight ongoing issues of gun violence affecting local schools.

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — A 27-year-old man has been charged with murder for the shooting death of John Beam, a celebrated former football coach known for his work at Laney College. Beam, aged 66, succumbed to his injuries following the incident that occurred on Friday at the junior college campus.

Cedric Irving faces a potential sentence of 50 years to life if convicted. Alameda County District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson announced the charges during a press conference, noting that Irving also faces enhancement charges due to allegations that he personally fired the weapon that caused Beam's injury, claiming the victim was particularly vulnerable.

Beam, who was also the school’s athletic director after retiring from coaching last year, was a revered figure in the local community. He formed deep bonds with his players and celebrated numerous victories while coaching the Laney Eagles. His story was featured in the Netflix docuseries “Last Chance U” during its 2020 season.

“He really is the best of Oakland — was the best of Oakland,” stated Jones Dickson, paying tribute to Beam’s legacy. The district attorney confirmed that Irving has no prior criminal record and is currently held without bail, with arraignment scheduled for the following day.

Recent events have shaken Oakland, where back-to-back shootings at schools have occurred. In one incident, a student was shot at Skyline High School, raising alarms about the state of gun violence in the city. Jones Dickson stated the urgent need for accountability in gun access, expressing concern that such violence has become normalized for students.

On the day of Beam’s shooting, police arrived at Laney College to find him critically injured in the athletics field house. Despite receiving medical treatment, he died shortly after. Irving was arrested after being discovered at a commuter rail station with the firearm used in the shooting, and he reportedly admitted to the act.

Assistant Chief James Beere of the Oakland Police indicated that this was a targeted incident, though details about the relationship between Irving and Beam remained undisclosed. Reports suggest that Irving had been facing personal difficulties leading up to the tragic event. Beam had been coaching since 2004 and had sent over 20 players to the NFL.