Laney College Athletic Director John Beam’s Accused Killer Faces Murder Charge, Potential Life Sentence
Alameda County District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson announced Monday that Cedric Irving, 27, has been charged with murder in connection with the shooting death of Laney College athletic director and longtime football coach John Beam. Irving also faces a gun enhancement that could add significant time to his potential sentence, potentially reaching 50 years to life if convicted.
The charges stem from an incident last week at the Laney Fieldhouse sports facility, where Irving allegedly shot Beam, 66, who succumbed to his injuries the following morning after a subsequent manhunt led to Irving’s location. Dickson stated that the shooting, alongside a separate incident at Oakland’s Skyline High School last week, prompted her office to reinstate mandatory minimum sentences for gun-related crimes within Alameda County.
Details surrounding the shooting remain scarce. Dickson has not publicly disclosed specifics about the incident, and police have yet to establish a motive, characterizing the act as a “very targeted incident.” However, Dickson confirmed that Irving had made statements to law enforcement regarding the shooting, though the content of those statements has not been released.
Irving was known to frequent the area around the Laney College campus, despite not being a student or employee. Notably, he previously played football at Skyline High School, where Beam served as head coach before transitioning to Laney College in 2004. However, Beam did not coach Irving during his time at Skyline.
John Beam’s career spanned decades and achieved significant recognition, particularly after he and the Laney College football team were featured in the Netflix docuseries “Last Chance U.” Prior to his 20-year tenure at Laney, Beam built a formidable legacy as a high school coach, spending 17 seasons as Skyline’s head coach, compiling a remarkable 160-33-3 record. During his time at Skyline, he secured 15 Oakland Athletic League championships and 11 Oakland Section titles.
At Laney, Beam was promoted to head coach in 2012 and led the team through the 2024 season. His leadership culminated in a California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) title in 2018, and he was subsequently appointed as the school’s athletic director in 2024.
The tragic loss of Coach Beam has resonated throughout the athletic community. Nahshon Wright, a player for the Bears, honored Beam’s memory with an interception during a recent game, stating, “That one was for him.” The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to piece together the events leading up to Beam’s death and seek justice for the beloved coach and athletic director.
