John Beam, the beloved athletic director and former head football coach of Laney College, was shot and killed on campus in Oakland on Thursday, November 14, 2024 — a tragedy that has left the city reeling. The 66-year-old, whose life’s work was immortalized in Netflix’s Last Chance U, died the following morning at a local hospital. The suspect, 27-year-old Cedric Irving Junior, was arrested before dawn on Friday at the San Leandro BART station, roughly six miles from the scene. Police say Irving knew Beam — but insisted there was no meaningful relationship between them. The twist? Irving had once played high school football at Skyline High School, years after Beam had left the coaching staff there. That’s the part that doesn’t add up — and the part everyone’s asking about.
A Man Who Built Futures, Not Just Teams
Last Chance U didn’t just show football. It showed redemption. And at the center of it all was Beam — a man who didn’t just recruit players; he recruited second chances. For over three decades, he guided at-risk youth through Laney’s football program, many of whom went on to transfer to four-year schools or find careers far beyond the field. "My legacy is going to be the young people like you just saw," he once told a reporter, a quote now echoing through Oakland’s streets. He wasn’t just an athletic director. He was a counselor, a father figure, a lifeline. When Oakland Mayor Barbara Jean Lee spoke out, she didn’t just mention his name — she mentioned her nephew, who’d played for Beam at Skyline High. That personal connection? It’s not unusual. Thousands have one.Colleagues described him as "the heart of Laney." Students called him Coach Beam — not Mr. Beam, not Director Beam. That’s how deeply he was woven into the fabric of the community. And now, that fabric has been torn.
Who Is Cedric Irving Junior?
Cedric Irving Junior isn’t a student at Laney. He didn’t play for Beam. He didn’t even attend the college. According to KTVU, he was a regular presence on campus — loitering near the Field House, watching practices, maybe even talking to people. But police say there’s no evidence he ever had a conversation with Beam beyond a nod or a hello. The same goes for Skyline High. Irving played there — but in the early 2010s, long after Beam had moved on. So why him? Why now?"They say he knew Coach Beam," said one investigator off the record. "But knowing someone isn’t the same as knowing them. And sometimes, that’s enough to break someone." The weapon used hasn’t been disclosed. The motive remains a mystery. What’s clear is that Irving was arrested within hours of Beam’s death — a swift takedown that suggests police had surveillance or witness leads. He was found at the San Leandro BART station, a quiet commuter hub where people come and go unnoticed. That’s where he was caught — not running, not hiding, just waiting.
A Community in Mourning, A City on Edge
The shooting came just one day after a 15-year-old student was wounded at Skyline High — a separate incident, police stress. But for Oaklanders, it felt like a pattern. Another gun. Another young life disrupted. Another icon lost."It’s like it’s going to be a lot different," a community member told KTVU, voice breaking. "And... hopefully like the town responds to this." The Peralta Community College District, which oversees Laney, has yet to announce memorial plans. But students have already started leaving flowers, footballs, and handwritten notes at the Field House entrance. One read: "You gave us a home when no one else would. We won’t forget." Netflix Inc., the streaming giant behind Last Chance U, has not issued a public statement. But the series’ impact — which helped raise millions in scholarship funding for junior college athletes — is now part of Beam’s legacy. His work didn’t end when the cameras stopped rolling.
What Comes Next?
The Alameda County Sheriff’s Office says the investigation is active. The District Attorney’s office will decide whether to file murder charges. Irving has not yet been formally charged as of this report. No court date has been scheduled. But the questions are piling up: Was this random? Was it personal? Did someone else pull the trigger? Did Irving feel wronged — even if no one knew it?What’s certain is this: Oakland has lost one of its most consistent voices for equity in sports. Beam didn’t just coach. He fought. For kids with records. For kids with no support. For kids who believed they had no future. He gave them a uniform, a meal, a chance. And now, the community must decide what to do with the space he left behind.
Timeline of Events
- November 13, 2024, 3:45 PM PST: 15-year-old student shot and wounded at Skyline High School in Oakland — unrelated, police say.
- November 14, 2024, 12:00 PM PST: John Beam shot at Laney College Field House. Transported to hospital in critical condition.
- November 15, 2024, 8:00 AM PST (5:00 PM UTC): Beam dies at hospital.
- November 15, 2024, before dawn: Cedric Irving Junior arrested at San Leandro BART station. Weapon recovered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does it matter that Cedric Irving played at Skyline High after John Beam left?
It matters because it undermines the assumption that the shooting was personal or rooted in past conflict. If Irving had been a player under Beam, the motive might be clearer. But since Irving played years after Beam’s tenure, police have no evidence of interaction — making this feel more like a random act of violence, which is even more unsettling for a community that trusted Beam as a stabilizing force.
How did John Beam impact students beyond football?
Beam didn’t just train athletes — he helped them enroll in college, secure housing, and find mentors. Over 80% of the players he coached at Laney went on to transfer to four-year institutions, according to Peralta District records. Many became teachers, nurses, and veterans. He treated each student like family, often paying for meals or bus fare out of his own pocket. His impact wasn’t measured in wins — it was measured in lives changed.
What’s the significance of the Laney College Field House as the crime scene?
The Field House wasn’t just a gym — it was the heart of the campus. That’s where students gathered after class, where Beam held weekly check-ins, where kids found safety. Shooting him there wasn’t just an attack on a man — it was an assault on the community’s sense of security. It’s like burning down a church. The symbolism cuts deep.
Why hasn’t the Peralta Community College District released a statement?
District officials are likely coordinating with law enforcement and Beam’s family before making public announcements. They’re also weighing how to handle campus security without inciting panic. With the suspect still awaiting formal charges, the district may be waiting for legal clarity before committing to memorial plans or policy changes.
Could this shooting be linked to the Skyline High student shooting the day before?
Police have explicitly stated there’s no connection between the two incidents. The Skyline High shooting involved a different location, victim, and suspect. But in a city already grappling with youth violence, the timing feels haunting. For many, it’s not about facts — it’s about fear. Two shootings in 24 hours? That’s a pattern people can’t ignore, even if investigators say otherwise.
What’s being done to honor John Beam’s legacy?
Students have set up spontaneous memorials at the Field House with jerseys, footballs, and letters. A local nonprofit, Oakland Youth Forward, has pledged to launch the "John Beam Scholarship Fund" for Laney athletes. Meanwhile, Netflix has quietly added a tribute card to the end of all Last Chance U episodes. The real tribute, though, will be whether the community chooses to keep his mission alive — not just with flowers, but with action.
