John Beam, known for his role in the Netflix documentary series Last Chance U, has been injured in a shooting incident.
Emergency services were summoned to Laney College in Oakland, California, on Thursday, November 13th, following reports of the incident. The 66-year-old football coach was shot within the college’s athletics department and was reported to be in critical condition that evening, according to the Peralta Community College District.
Authorities are now requesting public assistance in identifying the potential suspect, who has yet to be apprehended. The suspect was last seen wearing dark clothing, but no motive has been revealed at this time.
In response to the perceived active threat, the college initiated a lockdown, which was later lifted after the campus was deemed secure.
In a statement, the Peralta Community College District expressed their shock and sadness: “We are stunned and heartbroken that such violence has touched our campus and one of the most respected and beloved members of our Laney, Peralta, and Oakland community.
“John Beam is a renowned coach, teacher, mentor, and leader whose impact extends far beyond athletics. Our thoughts are with him and his family.”
This incident follows another shooting earlier in the week at an Oakland educational institution, as highlighted by Mayor Barbara Lee. A teenager was injured in a shooting at a high school the previous Wednesday.
Mayor Lee issued a statement acknowledging the difficult time for Oakland: “The last two days have been incredibly heavy for our city. My thoughts are with Coach John Beam and his loved ones. We are praying for him.”
Lee also emphasized the need for safety in schools, stating, “We need guns off our streets now.”
John Beam currently serves as the athletic director at Laney College and has dedicated 45 years to coaching football in the region. He began his tenure at Laney College in 2004, eventually becoming the offensive coordinator and then the head football coach in 2012.
Under his guidance, the Laney Eagles football team won the 2018 California Community College Athletic Association state championship, marking a significant achievement as their first in the school’s history. The program under Beam’s leadership has been instrumental in aiding players to transition to four-year universities and colleges and professional leagues.
Besides coaching, Beam also fulfilled the role of athletic director. Although he announced his retirement in late 2024, he remains active in athletics administration.
Beam was prominently featured in the fifth season of Last Chance U, which aired in 2020 on Netflix.
The series documents the journey of junior college (JUCO) American football programs, focusing on athletes who face challenges or seek a pivotal opportunity to pursue Division I university football or professional careers.
JUCO programs, like Laney, offer crucial support for players who did not immediately enter major universities, providing them with a vital path forward.