John Beam, the well-known Laney College athletic director and former head football coach featured prominently in the Netflix docuseries “Last Chance U,” was wounded Thursday in a shooting on the college campus.
Authorities confirmed that the shooting occurred just before noon near the Laney Fieldhouse, the sports complex on the east side of the Oakland campus. Medics transported Beam to a local hospital for treatment, though his condition was not immediately known.
The Oakland Police Department (OPD) did not officially release the victim’s name, but local officials and news outlets confirmed the victim was Beam, 67, who rose to national recognition mentoring student-athletes at the community college.
Isolated Incident, Suspect at Large
Acting OPD Chief James Beere told reporters at a press conference that the incident appeared to be isolated, and it was not an active-shooter situation. The chief stated that the suspect, described as a male wearing dark clothing, including a black hoodie, remains at large.
The Peralta Community College District immediately issued an emergency alert urging students and employees to avoid the area near the Fieldhouse as police secured the campus.
Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee released a statement expressing heartbreak over the violence. “We must continue confronting the ongoing gun violence crisis that is robbing our community of safety and stealing futures,” Lee said, noting that the incident marks the second shooting on an Oakland campus in one week.
A Legacy in Oakland Football
Beam has been a fixture in the Oakland sports community for decades, retiring as the Laney Eagles head football coach in October 2024 to focus on his role as athletic director.
He gained national recognition during the fifth season of “Last Chance U,” which followed the Laney Eagles during their 2019 season. The show highlighted his successful coaching philosophy, which emphasized academic achievement and a 90% graduation and transfer rate for his student-athletes. Under his leadership, the Eagles won two league titles and a state championship victory in 2018.
Fans and former players flooded social media with prayers and messages of support following the news of the shooting.
