Mentor's Life Cut Short by Violence

John Beam, the 66-year-old athletics director at Laney College in Oakland, California, whose dedication to young athletes was chronicled in the Netflix documentary series ‘Last Chance U,’ died on Friday, November 14, 2025, after being shot on campus. The incident occurred shortly before noon, Pacific Standard Time, on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at the college's sports field house. Beam was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries the following morning, the Oakland Police Department confirmed.

Authorities announced the arrest of a suspect, identified as 27-year-old Oakland resident Cedric Irving Jr., in the early hours of Friday morning. The arrest was made at the San Leandro Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) station. Oakland's Assistant Police Chief, James Beere, stated that the shooting was a "very targeted incident" and not a random act of violence. Beere confirmed that the suspect and Beam were known to each other, though not closely, and that the suspect was on campus for a "specific reason," which remains under investigation. A firearm was recovered at the time of the arrest.

A Legacy of Mentorship in Oakland

For over four decades, John Beam was a towering figure in the Oakland community, renowned for his commitment to mentoring young people through American football. His career began at Skyline High School, where he coached for 22 years, before he joined Laney College in 2004. He became the head football coach in 2012, leading the Laney College Eagles to a state championship in 2018. Although he retired from coaching in 2024, he remained as the college's athletics director.

Beam gained international recognition in 2020 when he and the Laney Eagles were featured in the fifth season of Netflix's ‘Last Chance U.’ The series highlighted his philosophy of providing opportunities for student-athletes facing significant personal challenges. He was credited with helping more than 20 of his players reach the National Football League (NFL) and ensuring a high percentage of his students graduated or transferred to four-year universities.

Tributes have poured in from across the United States. Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee described Beam as a "giant" in the city who "gave Oakland's youth their best chance." Former players, including NFL athletes, shared heartfelt messages on social media, remembering him as a father figure. In a statement, Beam's family said they were "devastated that John, being our loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, coach, mentor and friend has passed."

Global Context: Gun Violence on Campus

While the incident has no direct ties to Kenya, it underscores the persistent and tragic issue of gun violence on educational campuses in the United States. Beam's death was the second shooting at an Oakland school in just two days, following an incident at Skyline High School where a student was injured. This has amplified the national conversation about safety in educational institutions.

According to the advocacy group Everytown, there have been hundreds of gunfire incidents on school and college campuses across the US in 2025 alone, dozens of which resulted in fatalities. The killing of a beloved community figure like John Beam in a place of learning highlights the profound and far-reaching impact of such violence. The investigation into the motive for the shooting is ongoing, with Cedric Irving Jr. scheduled to be arraigned on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, on charges including murder.