A 27-year-old man has been charged with murder in the shooting death of former Laney College football coach John Beam, a towering figure in Oakland athletics whose influence stretched far beyond the field.
According to The Associated Press, prosecutors announced Monday that Cedric Irving Jr. faces a potential sentence of 50 years to life if convicted.
Alameda County District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson said the charges include enhancements alleging he personally fired the weapon that caused Beam’s fatal injuries and that the victim was “particularly vulnerable,” possibly due to his age.
Beam, 66, was shot in the head on Thursday at the athletic field house on the Laney College campus. He died the following day in a hospital. His death stunned a community that had long viewed him as a mentor, leader, and father figure.
“He really is the best of Oakland — was the best of Oakland,” Jones Dickson said. “His spirit is still here.”
Beam’s career earned national attention when the Netflix series Last Chance U spotlighted him and the Laney Eagles during its 2020 season. After retiring from coaching last year, he transitioned into the role of athletic director.
Irving, who authorities say had no prior criminal record, is being held without bail. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Tuesday. The Alameda County Public Defender’s Office said it has not been appointed to represent him and declined to comment.
The shooting occurred amid a violent week for Oakland schools. One day earlier, a student was shot at Skyline High School, leaving students shaken by back-to-back lockdowns.
“That’s unacceptable that we have children in our community who now this is the norm,” Jones Dickson said. “Two days in a row that they’re locked down for gun violence on a campus. I’m not good with that.”
Oakland police said officers arrived at Laney College just before noon Thursday and found Beam suffering from a gunshot wound. Irving was arrested hours later at a commuter rail station around 3 a.m. Friday. According to the probable cause document, he was carrying the firearm used in the shooting and admitted to the crime.
Assistant Police Chief James Beere called the killing a “very targeted incident,” though he declined to explain the relationship between the two men. He said Irving had a “specific reason” for coming onto campus.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported that Irving’s brother said the suspect had recently lost his security job after an altercation and was facing eviction.
Beam’s legacy at Laney College ran deep. He joined the program in 2004 as a running backs coach and took over as head coach in 2012, leading the Eagles to two league titles. According to the college, at least 20 of his former players went on to the NFL.
Beam also worked previously at Skyline High School, where Irving once played football — though not during Beam’s tenure.
Oakland continues to reel from the loss of a coach who shaped generations of young athletes and symbolized the heart of the community.
