A suspect has been charged in relation to the fatal shooting death of former Laney College head coach turned athletic director John Beam, who was once featured on the Netflix docuseries Last Chance U, on Monday (November 17).

Cedric Irving, 27, was charged with murder and also faces enhancement charges alleging he personally fired a gun that caused great bodily injury and that the victim was particularly vulnerable, possibly due to age, according to a charging complaint obtained by the Associated Press. Alameda County District attorney Ursula Jones Dickson confirmed that Irving faces 50 years to live if convicted of the crimes during a press conference on Monday.

“Coach Beam was shot in the head and murdered,” said Jones Dickson via KRON4.

The district attorney declined to divulge into potential motives for the crime, however, the Oakland Police Department described the incident as "targeted."

Beam was reportedly shot in the head at the Laney Fieldhouse just before noon local time on Thursday (November 13), according to authorities.

The former coach, who took over as the program's athletic director in 2024, initially joined Laney College as a running backs coach in 2004 and was promoted to head coach in 2012, having served as a coach in the Oakland area for more than 40 years. Laney College was featured on the Netflix docuseries Last Chance U, which chronicles junior college teams, in 2020.

Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee described Beam as a "giant" in the local community for his work as a mentor, educator and lifeline for the youth.

"For over 40 years, he has shaped leaders on and off the field, and our community is shaken alongside his family," Lee said in a statement obtained by the Associated Press.

Beam has led Laney College to two league titles and has coached 20 players who went on to the NFL during his tenure.

Mo Egger

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