Shooting at Laney College in Oakland Injures Athletic Director John Beam
A shooting occurred at Laney College in Oakland, California, on Thursday, injuring the school’s athletic director, John Beam, who was profiled in the Netflix docuseries “Last Chance U.” The incident happened just before noon at the Laney Fieldhouse, which is the sports complex on the east side of the campus. According to the Oakland Police Department, medics transported a shooting victim to the hospital, and his condition is currently unknown.
The Peralta Community College District confirmed that the shooting involved “a senior member of our athletic staff,” and a school spokesperson later identified the victim as Beam. The district sent out an emergency alert to students and employees at Laney and to the adjacent Peralta district offices, urging people to avoid the area. Acting Oakland Police Chief James Beere stated that the incident was isolated and did not involve an active shooter, but he did not have any information about the suspect, describing him only as a male wearing a hoodie.
Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee expressed her concern about the ongoing gun violence crisis in the community, stating, “I am heartbroken by today’s shooting at Laney College – the second shooting on an Oakland campus in one week. We must continue confronting the ongoing gun violence crisis that is robbing our community of safety and stealing futures.” This incident follows a shooting at Skyline High School in Oakland on Wednesday, which injured a teenager, and two other juveniles were arrested.
John Beam’s Background and Achievements
John Beam is a well-known figure in the athletic community, having served as the former head football coach for the Laney College Eagles. He gained national recognition in the Netflix docuseries “Last Chance U,” which highlighted his coaching philosophy, mentorship of student-athletes, and the team’s “Laney built” motto. Under his leadership, the Eagles won two league titles and a state championship victory in 2018, finishing the season with an 11-2 record and ranking as the nation’s top community college team. Beam also boasted a 90% graduation and transfer rate to four-year colleges.
Before assuming the athletic director role, Beam retired as Laney’s head football coach in October 2024. He previously served as the head football coach for Skyline High School from 1987 to 2003, leading the Titans to 15 league championships, 11 section championships, and four undefeated seasons. Beam’s experience and expertise in the athletic community have made him a respected figure, and his contributions to the sport are widely recognized.
This is a developing story, and more information will be added as it becomes available. For the latest updates, please refer to the original article.
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