OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Oakland’s celebrated former football coach John Beam, who was featured in the Netflix series “Last Chance U” that showcased his success with players others wouldn’t gamble on, died Friday, a day after being shot on the college campus where he worked.
Police arrested the 27-year-old suspect Cedric Irving Jr. on Friday. Authorities stated that the attack was targeted and personal, as the suspect had a prior relationship with the 66-year-old coach.
The shooting at Laney College has sent shockwaves through Oakland, where many gathered outside the hospital holding a vigil for Beam. He was revered not only as a coach but as a mentor who devoted his life to helping young people succeed both on and off the field.
Mayor Barbara Lee described Beam as a “giant” in the city, who had mentored thousands of young individuals, including her own family members. “For over 40 years, he has shaped leaders on and off the field, and our community is shaken alongside his family,” Lee shared in a heartfelt tribute.
Community members remembered Beam for his unwavering dedication, noting that he had helped countless underprivileged youths find purpose through sports. Beam was serving as the athletic director at Laney College after a notable coaching career, which included winning two league titles during his tenure as head coach.
The incident occurred only a day after a separate shooting at Skyline High School, reiterating the troubling issue of gun violence that Mayor Lee mentioned as a crisis affecting Oakland’s schools.
As news spreads of Beam's untimely death, tributes continue to pour in from former players like NFL brothers Nahshon and Rejzohn Wright. They shared their heartbreak on social media, reminiscing about their relationships with Beam and the positive impact he had on their lives.
Police have not disclosed the exact motive behind the shooting but described it as targeted, indicating the suspect had been seen loitering around the campus. The investigation is ongoing as the community continues to mourn a beloved figure taken too soon.
Police arrested the 27-year-old suspect Cedric Irving Jr. on Friday. Authorities stated that the attack was targeted and personal, as the suspect had a prior relationship with the 66-year-old coach.
The shooting at Laney College has sent shockwaves through Oakland, where many gathered outside the hospital holding a vigil for Beam. He was revered not only as a coach but as a mentor who devoted his life to helping young people succeed both on and off the field.
Mayor Barbara Lee described Beam as a “giant” in the city, who had mentored thousands of young individuals, including her own family members. “For over 40 years, he has shaped leaders on and off the field, and our community is shaken alongside his family,” Lee shared in a heartfelt tribute.
Community members remembered Beam for his unwavering dedication, noting that he had helped countless underprivileged youths find purpose through sports. Beam was serving as the athletic director at Laney College after a notable coaching career, which included winning two league titles during his tenure as head coach.
The incident occurred only a day after a separate shooting at Skyline High School, reiterating the troubling issue of gun violence that Mayor Lee mentioned as a crisis affecting Oakland’s schools.
As news spreads of Beam's untimely death, tributes continue to pour in from former players like NFL brothers Nahshon and Rejzohn Wright. They shared their heartbreak on social media, reminiscing about their relationships with Beam and the positive impact he had on their lives.
Police have not disclosed the exact motive behind the shooting but described it as targeted, indicating the suspect had been seen loitering around the campus. The investigation is ongoing as the community continues to mourn a beloved figure taken too soon.
