John Beam, a revered figure in college football and a prominent personality from the Netflix series “Last Chance U,” voiced concerns about safety at Laney College shortly before his tragic death. The athletic director was fatally shot in what authorities have described as a “targeted incident.”

Cedric Irving Jr., aged 27, has been charged with Beam’s murder. Beam, who had devoted over 45 years to coaching college football, was shot last Thursday. Just hours before the incident, the 66-year-old had expressed unease about the security situation on campus.

Highlighting recent incidents such as a nearby fire and a break-in at the field house, Beam shared his feelings of vulnerability, which he attributed to the absence of armed deputies who previously patrolled the school.

The security changes stem from a decision made in 2020 when Laney College ended its contract with the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office. Since then, the local college district has employed unarmed security personnel to oversee campus safety.

According to reports, Beam was shown footage of the break-in by security staff. However, no action was taken to apprehend those responsible, leading Beam to question whether the security team was overextended across the district’s four community colleges.

John Beam complained about campus safety at Laney College a day before he was shot dead 

Cedric Irving Jr., the man charged with murdering Beam, appeared in court Tuesday 

Beam (pictured with wife Cindi) died at the age of 66 on Friday after being shot on campus

He was shot in the campus field house last Thursday in what police called a ‘targeted incident’

Beam reportedly said that security staff showed him footage of the break-in. But they did not intervene or catch any of those involved, with Beam questioning whether they were stretched too thin across an area made up of four community colleges.

‘Six guards, four campuses, 24 hours… how does that work?’ Beam said, per The Citizen. Hours later, he was rushed to the hospital but died the following day from his injuries.

NBA legends Steph Curry and Steve Kerr were among those to pay tribute to the 66-year-old, who was reportedly heard saying ‘no, no, no’ before being killed.

Golden State star Curry branded Beam an ‘icon’ while his coach, Kerr, hailed Beam as a ‘revered figure in Oakland’ [who] ‘did so much for so many people.’

It’s claimed active shooter training took place on campus two days before Bean was shot. Police arrested Irving Jr. at a commuter rail station just after 3am Friday. 

He was carrying the firearm used to shoot Beam and admitted to carrying out the shooting, according to the probable cause document. 

Irving Jr made his first court appearance earlier this week. The former Laney student has been charged with murder and several enhancements in Beam’s death and could face 50 years to life in prison. He will continue to be held without bail.

Oakland Assistant Chief James Beere claimed Irving Jr. was known to loiter around Laney’s campus. He added that Irving Jr. was on campus for a ‘specific reason’ but did not elaborate further. 

The 27-year-old was refused bail and wore a so-called ‘modesty garment’ which is to prevent people from harming themselves. He did not enter a plea and his arraignment was set for December 16. 

Prosecutors have not provided a motive for the shooting of Beam, who forged deep relationships with his players and built a reputation for helping them transfer to top schools.

Beam pictured with his two daughters Sonjha and Monica. He also had two granddaughters

Irving Jr., 27, is the man accused of killing beloved football coach John Beam in Oakland

Netflix followed the Laney Eagles in the 2020 season of ‘Last Chance U,’ the docuseries show focused on athletes at junior colleges striving to turn their lives around. 

Beam first arrived at Laney College in 2004 as a running backs coach. He became head coach in 2012 and went on to win two league titles. According to his biography on the college’s website, at least 20 of his players went on to the NFL.

Irving Jr has no criminal record, the district attorney has said. He played football at Skyline High School, where Beam once worked, but not at the same time the coach was employed there. He played tight end for the school’s varsity team in 2016 and 2017.

According to his brother Samuael, Irving later went to Laney College and knew Beam. Samuael said he might have practiced with the school football team.

But it’s said the suspect had cut ties with his family before the shooting. And so many details of his life remain unclear.

According to his brother, Irving had worked as a security guard and at Domino’s Pizza. He had reportedly been living alone in Oakland. 

‘Hearing about my brother’s arrest shocked me a lot,’ Samuael told NBC Bay Area. ‘It made me tear up.

‘I couldn’t believe he would have done such a thing like this. I wish he would have just came to his family for help or advice or just anything because we’re family.’