Arrest made in shooting of “Last Chance U” coach John Beam at Laney College in Oakland, California
By Tim Fang
Police in Oakland said an arrest has been made in connection with a shooting on the Laney College campus that injured athletic director John Beam.
The department announced on social media around 8:45 a.m. Friday about the arrest. A law enforcement source confirmed to CBS News Bay Area that the suspect has been identified as Cedric Irving Jr.
Additional details were not immediately available.
“I’m grateful to the Oakland Police Department and our dedicated law enforcement partners for their swift work in making an arrest in the shooting of Coach Beam,” Mayor Barbara Lee said Friday. “This arrest is a testament to the effective collaboration and dedication of our law enforcement community.”
Shortly before noon Thursday, officers were called to the campus on reports of a shooting.
The Peralta Community College District said the shooting happened at the Laney Fieldhouse, which is the sports complex on the east side of the campus, and involved “a senior member of our athletic staff.” A school spokesperson later confirmed to CBS News the victim was Beam.
Medics took Beam to the hospital for treatment. District officials said Beam was critically injured.
“I know our entire community is shocked and deeply concerned for his well-being and stunned that such violence has touched a beloved, respected, and longstanding member of our community,” chancellor Tammeil Gilkerson said in a statement.
Acting Oakland Police Chief James Beere told reporters at a press conference that the incident was isolated and did not involve an active shooter.
Beam is the former head football coach for the Laney College Eagles and gained national recognition in the Netflix docuseries “Last Chance U.” The fifth season of the series followed the Eagles during the 2019 season.
