“Oakland Community in Shock: Beloved Mentor and Coach John Beam Shot in College Campus Shooting”

OAKLAND, Calif. – The Oakland community is reeling after a shocking shooting on a community college campus claimed John Beam, the legendary Laney College football coach and star of the Netflix series “Last Chance U,” as its victim. The man who spent decades offering others a second chance at life is now fighting for his own.

Beam was shot on Thursday, November 13, on the campus of Laney College in Oakland, California. According to multiple reports, he remains in critical condition.

The Oakland Police Department has confirmed it is investigating the incident, which occurred in the afternoon at the college’s football field. A suspect was taken into custody the following day, on Friday, November 14.

In the aftermath of the shooting, the college was closed, and the campus was evacuated until the end of Thursday before reopening on Friday.

This tragic event has heightened anxiety in the community, as it marks the second shooting on an Oakland educational campus in just two days. On November 12, a student was shot at Skyline High School.

John Beam gained national prominence through his appearance in the fifth season of the hit documentary series “Last Chance U,” which focuses on the lives of junior college (JUCO) football players striving to rebuild their lives. Beam served as head coach of the college’s team from 2012 until 2024.

Athletically, Beam is considered a true developer of talent, having produced 20 NFL players during his tenure at Laney and sent more than 100 players to the NCAA Division I level.

However, John Beam’s impact extended far beyond the football field. In the Oakland community, he was a prominent figure—a mentor, teacher, and inspiration to thousands of young people. For over 40 years, he did not just build skilled players; he helped shape leaders on and off the field. Local reports indicate that “our community is suffering deeply with his family,” a sincere expression of the profound sense of loss and tragedy.

The bullet fired on the Laney College campus did not just strike the body of a great coach; it struck at the heart of an entire community for which John Beam was a wellspring of hope. The man who dedicated his life to saving youth from dead ends and giving them a “last chance” to achieve their dreams suddenly finds himself in need of a miracle.

As prayers and well-wishes continue for his recovery, one truth remains constant: regardless of the outcome of this tragedy, the legacy of John Beam—filled with human and athletic triumphs—is indelibly etched into the history of Oakland. It serves as a powerful confirmation that his greatest achievements were not the titles or the professional athletes he developed, but the lives he guided and transformed for the better.