John Beam, the longtime coach known from Last Chance U, was fatally shot at Laney College in Oakland; the community is grieving and officials are offering different takes on motive and solutions.

John Beam rose to national attention five years ago through his role on the Netflix documentary series “Last Chance U”. Fans and former players knew him for decades in Oakland, where he spent four decades mentoring students and coaching at Skyline High School before his Laney College work.

However, the beloved 66-year-old reality television star died tragically this week after being shot in the head. The shooting happened on Laney’s campus and left a tight-knit community stunned as officials worked to piece together what led to such a violent act.

Law enforcement described the incident as precise and deliberate. James Beere, an assistant police chief in Oakland, called the killing a “very targeted incident” and emphasized Beam’s reputation as someone willing to help people in the neighborhood, noting that Beam was “open to helping everybody in our community.”

Authorities say the suspect is 27-year-old Cedric Irving Jr., who was taken into custody at 3:00 a.m. on Friday after police say he had been on campus and known to loiter there. Irving reportedly attended Skyline High School where Beam worked for 22 years but did not play on the football team, and investigators are treating the case as a focused attack rather than random violence.

Tammeil Gilkerson, chancellor of Laney, told staff members they were “devastated” by Beam’s death and framed him as a pillar of the campus and the wider community. “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,” she stressed, underlining the shock felt across students and staff.

Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee released a statement offering condolences and asking for privacy for Beam’s family. “My deepest condolences go out to Coach John Beam’s family and loved ones. They ask for privacy at this time.”

“Coach Beam’s legacy isn’t measured in championships or statistics,” she declared. “It’s measured in the thousands of young people he believed in, mentored, and refused to abandon, including my nephew, while at Skyline High school.”

In public comments after the shooting, the mayor — identified with the Democratic Party — tied the tragedy to broader debates about gun policy. She argued, “We cannot let guns continue flooding our streets and destroying the very people trying to save our community,” and urged stricter controls as a remedy for ongoing violence.

That response drew immediate pushback from many who knew Beam and others who want a different approach to public safety. Critics say focusing only on gun restrictions overlooks enforcement gaps, mental health issues, and the need for disciplined policing that protects both communities and the people who serve them.

Supporters and former players remember Beam for hands-on mentorship and a refusal to give up on kids many others had counted out. “Coach Beam spent four decades lifting up Oakland and mentoring our young people,” the mayor said, and those who worked with him point to everyday acts — showing up for families, guiding students toward opportunity — as his lasting imprint.

As the investigation continues, people in Oakland are asking tough questions about safety on campuses, accountability for violent offenders, and how to prevent targeted attacks. While public officials debate policy, locals are also focused on protecting students and honoring a coach who made a habit of standing with young people through thick and thin.