Former football coach John Beam was shot on Thursday and taken to the hospital in critical condition. An arrest has been made, according to law enforcement. Here’s what we know about the incident.
John Beam was shot on the Laney College campus in Oakland
The shooting occurred before noon on campus at Laney College on Thursday. Beam was shot at the field house, which is where athletic training facilities are located, according to a statement released by the Peralta Community College District. Police found Beam with gunshot wounds when they arrived at the scene. He was taken to Highland Hospital in Oakland in critical condition.
“The Peralta community is devastated by his shooting and deeply concerned for his well-being,” Chancellor Tammeil Gilkerson said in a message to employees, according to CNN. “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.”
Laney College was placed on lockdown after the shooting was reported and an investigation was launched. Campus reopened Friday with counseling services available.
An arrest has been made in connection to the shooting, Oakland Police said in a statement Friday. They did not share additional information regarding the arrest.
“John Beam is a renowned coach, teacher, mentor, and leader whose impact extends far beyond athletics,” Gilkerson added. “Our thoughts are with him and his family.”
Thursday’s shooting occurred a day after a student was shot at Oakland’s Skyline High School. The student was reported to be in stable condition and police made two arrests.
John Beam received national recognition for starring in Netflix’s ‘Last Chance U’
Beam is Laney College’s current athletic director. Last year, he retired as head coach of the football team. Beam poached for over four decades at junior college and high school levels. In 2020, he was featured alongside the Laney Eagles in Netflix’s docuseries Last Chance U, which focused on community college athletes looking to turn their lives around.
He is a revered member of the Oakland community and received support from the city’s Mayor Barbara Lee.
“My thoughts are with Coach John Beam and his loved ones. We are praying for him,” she said in a statement, according to ESPN. “Coach Beam is a giant in Oakland — a mentor, an educator, and a lifeline for thousands of young people. For over 40 years, he has shaped leaders on and off the field, and our community is shaken alongside his family.”
“We are standing together, praying for Coach Beam and his loved ones,” she added.