OAKLAND, Calif. — A 27-year-old man has been charged with murder following the tragic shooting death of renowned football coach John Beam, who succumbed to injuries sustained when he was shot in the head at the Laney College campus. Cited as a father figure by many players, Beam was known for fostering deep connections and leading his teams to competitive success. His impact was immortalized in the Netflix docuseries “Last Chance U,” which featured his coaching career in 2020.
The district attorney announced that Cedric Irving faces a potential sentence ranging from 50 years to life in prison if found guilty. Additional charges allege that Irving personally discharged the weapon causing serious injury and exploited Beam’s vulnerability due to his age.
“He really is the best of Oakland — was the best of Oakland,” stated Alameda County District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson during a press conference, reflecting the community's grief over Beam’s passing.
Irving, who reportedly has no previous criminal history, was apprehended shortly after the incident while carrying the firearm used in the shooting. Officials labeled the shooting as targeted but did not disclose the relationship between the victim and the suspect. The tragic event follows another shooting at a local high school, raising alarm over the safety of students in the community.
Jones Dickson expressed an urgent need for accountability regarding gun violence, emphasizing the unacceptable normalization of lockdowns in schools due to such incidents. She remarked, “Two days in a row that they’re locked down for gun violence on a campus. I’m not good with that.” Beam's death and the circumstances surrounding it continue to stir urgent discussions about gun control and public safety.
