Oakland Community in Mourning After Shooting of Football Coach John Beam

Tue Nov 18 2025 03:33:41 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Cedric Irving, 27, has been charged with murder following the tragic shooting of John Beam, a respected football coach at Laney College. The local community is reeling from this loss amidst rising concerns about gun violence in schools.

A 27-year-old man has been charged with murder for the fatal shooting of John Beam, a former football coach well-known in Oakland. The incident, which resulted in Beam's death on Friday, has sparked a call for accountability against gun violence, especially in schools. Following a spate of school shootings, community leaders are urging for action to protect students and address the ongoing crisis surrounding firearms.

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — A 27-year-old man was charged Monday with murder in connection to the tragic shooting death of John Beam, a celebrated former football coach at Laney College, which occurred on the college campus where he worked.

Cedric Irving faces a potential sentence of 50 years to life if convicted, according to Alameda County District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson, who announced the charges during a press conference. In addition to murder, Irving faces allegations of personally firing the weapon, which resulted in significant injury to the victim. The complaint highlights Beam's vulnerability, indicating that his age may have played a role.

Beam, 66, was a towering presence in the Oakland community, revered as a father figure to many players and a regular contender for championships. His impactful coaching career was featured in the Netflix docuseries “Last Chance U,” which focused on the 2020 season of the Laney Eagles. He had recently transitioned to a role as the school’s athletic director after retiring from coaching the previous year.

“He truly embodied the spirit of Oakland,” Jones Dickson said. “His legacy will continue to shine through all those he touched.”

Irving, who has no prior criminal record, is currently being held without bail and is due to be arraigned soon. The public defender's office has not yet been appointed to represent him and declined to comment on the case.

The shooting follows a distressing week where two schools in Oakland experienced gun violence incidents. Just days before Beam’s shooting, a student was shot at Skyline High School, resulting in lockdowns that disrupted students’ routines.

Jones Dickson expressed deep concerns regarding the increasing gun violence, emphasizing the urgency for action, stating, “We cannot allow our children to view these lockdowns as the norm. This level of violence is unacceptable.”

Oakland police found Beam critically injured at the athletics field house; he succumbed to his injuries the following day after being treated at a local hospital. Irving was apprehended shortly after the shooting, reportedly carrying the firearm used in the incident and admitting to the act.

Assistant Chief of Police James Beere described the shooting as a 'targeted incident', noting that the specifics of how the two men were connected remain unclear. It was mentioned, however, that Irving was known to frequent the Laney campus.

John Beam began his journey at Laney College in 2004, climbing the ranks to head coach by 2012, where he won two league titles. His coaching legacy included seeing over 20 players reach the NFL, showcasing his profound impact on young athletes' lives.

The shocking loss of Coach Beam has resonated deeply throughout the community, igniting discussions about safety in schools and the pressing need to confront issues surrounding gun access among youth.