A television personality from Netflix was fatally shot at a university campus. John Beam, renowned for his role in Last Chance U and previous football coaching career, passed away at the age of 66.
The tragic incident occurred at Laney College’s fieldhouse in Oakland, CA, where Beam was struck by a bullet, resulting in a severe head injury. Despite being rushed to the hospital, he succumbed to his injuries the following morning around 10am.
Authorities revealed that the shooting was a deliberate attack, with surveillance technology, including campus and private cameras, instrumental in identifying the suspect. Cedric Irving, 27, was apprehended at an Oakland commuter rail station at 3am on Friday, where the firearm used in the crime was recovered. He faces charges of murder and carrying a concealed weapon and is currently detained pending arraignment on Tuesday.
Family members described Beam as a beloved individual, encompassing roles as a husband, father, grandfather, and influential coach and mentor. The suspect’s brother expressed shock over the arrest, mentioning Cedric’s academic and athletic accomplishments, albeit acknowledging recent personal struggles leading up to the tragic event.
Officials indicated that the suspect had a specific motive for being on the campus but did not disclose further details. It was noted that the suspect had previous connections to the Laney campus, although the nature of his relationship with Beam remains undisclosed.
Mayor Barbara Lee paid tribute to Beam’s significant impact on the community, highlighting his contributions to youth development both on and off the sports field. Beam, who served as an esteemed athletic director at Laney College, had fostered numerous successful athletes, with many transitioning to professional football careers.
This unfortunate incident comes shortly after another shooting at Skyline High School in Oakland, underscoring the escalating gun violence concerns within the city. Despite the proximity of the two incidents, officials have not established a direct connection between them.