Oakland Hit by Second School Shooting in Two Days; John Beam Dies After Campus Attack

John Beam, the longtime athletic director at Laney College and former head football coach who appeared in Netflix’s 2020 documentary series “Last Chance U,” died Friday from injuries sustained in a shooting the day before on campus.

Oakland Police Chief Floyd Mitchell confirmed Beam’s death at a Friday news conference, roughly 24 hours after the 66-year-old coach was shot at the college’s fieldhouse. A 27-year-old suspect was arrested early Friday morning without incident, and a firearm was recovered.

The shooting happened Thursday around midday at the Laney Field House, where athletic training facilities and administrative offices are located. Beam was transported to a local hospital but succumbed to his injuries.

The campus was placed on lockdown Thursday but reopened Friday with counseling services available for students and staff.

Assistant Chief James Beere told reporters the shooting was “a very targeted incident” and that the suspect and Beam knew each other, though they were not close. The coach was “open to helping everybody in our community,” Beere said.

The shooting marked the second at an Oakland school in two days. An unidentified teen was wounded at Skyline High School on Wednesday. The back-to-back incidents have left the Oakland community reeling and searching for answers about school safety.

Beam spent more than four decades working with young athletes in Oakland. He coached at Skyline High School before moving to Laney, where he became head football coach in 2012 and later athletic director in 2006. He retired from coaching last year but continued leading the athletic department. On3 reported the news of his death, on their X handle (formerly Twitter) Friday afternoon.

Former College football coach John Beam from ‘Last Chance U’ has died, the Oakland Police Department announced.

Details: https://t.co/H6MC3COeFl pic.twitter.com/Fe7bUvyMRK

— On3 (@On3sports) November 14, 2025

Legendary Coach’s Death Leaves Void in Oakland Athletic Community

Beam’s family released a statement Friday expressing their grief. “We are devastated that John Beam our loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, coach mentor and friend has passed,” the family said. “Our hearts are full from the outpouring of support.”

Assistant Chief Beere provided limited details about the suspect’s connection to Beam. He confirmed the suspect played football at Skyline High School but not during Beam’s tenure there.

Beere did not explain how they knew each other or why the suspect was on campus Thursday. The suspect was taken into custody without any altercation at the San Leandro BART station around 3 a.m. Friday.

Beam’s impact on Oakland sports cannot be overstated. Former players, many of whom went on to college and professional careers, credit him with providing structure and guidance during formative years.

He retired from coaching last year, telling reporters at the time, “It’s been a good run” His decision to continue as athletic director allowed him to maintain his connection to Laney and continue mentoring young athletes.