Laney College sports director John Beam dies after shooting Thursday suspect in custody - Local News Matters

The shooting death of John Beam, Laney College's athletic director, has shocked the local community. Beam was shot Thursday at the campus Fieldhouse and died Friday morning after being taken to Highland Hospital. Oakland police arrested Cedric Irving Jr. , 27, early Friday at the San Leandro BART station, suspecting him in the shooting that occurred just before noon. Investigators reported that Irving knew Beam, a former football coach celebrated for his role in Netflix's “Last Chance U,” but they did not speculate on the motive behind the attack.

This incident has heightened concerns about safety on college campuses in Oakland, prompting local officials to consider enhanced security measures. The Laney College community is mourning the loss of a prominent figure who impacted many young athletes’ lives. Police are continuing their investigation to uncover more details regarding the circumstances of the shooting. Community leaders are expected to hold discussions on how to prevent such incidents in the future.