Netflix Star John Beam Shot on College Campus

A city is shaken, and a beloved figure is fighting for his life after a chilling act of violence unfolded in broad daylight.

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A legendary coach and current Laney College athletic director, identified by multiple sources as John Beam, was shot in the head on Thursday, November 13, 2025, on school grounds. This tragedy has left the community reeling and desperate for answers.

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The shooting erupted just past noon at the Laney Fieldhouse, near East 8th Street and Fifth Avenue, south of Lake Merritt. The initial panic prompted a full-scale response from Oakland Police, who feared a mass casualty situation.

Acting Police Chief James Beere addressed mounting fears during a press conference, quickly clearing up the confusion:

"I know that there was some concern that this may have been an active shooter. We responded as if it was an active shooter. I can tell you right now it was not an active shooter."

Acting Police Chief James Beere addresses the press concerning the shooting at Laney College, as seen from a video post dated November 13, 2025. | Source: YouTube/ ABC7NewsBayArea

Still, the shooter remains at large, and law enforcement is appealing to the public for assistance. "We're currently asking the public's help in locating a suspect, a potential suspect in this case," Beere said. "It's a male — unknown race — wearing all dark clothing and a black hoodie that fled the scene," adding that the case is being treated as an ongoing investigation.

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Laney College officials confirmed that a senior member of the athletic staff had been shot inside the fieldhouse. The victim, now known to be Beam, was rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency care.

Laney College signage. | Source: Getty Images

While the college has not officially released his name — citing privacy and family concerns — it stated solidarity, standing by the wounded staff member and his loved ones. The atmosphere on campus was one of shock and disbelief.

Among those most impacted was 19-year-old left guard Geovanni Valverde, who described the moment with disbelief. Beam had recruited many of the athletes himself, offering them not just a shot at college football but a way forward in life.

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To the countless players who have passed through Laney College's football program, Beam has been far more than a coach — he has been a mentor, advocate, and lifeline.

Former colleagues and longtime friends spoke out in disbelief and heartbreak. Lou Richie, head basketball coach at Bishop O'Dowd High School and a personal friend of Beam's, praised the coach's unwavering integrity and his decades-long dedication to uplifting youth in Oakland.

Lou Richie calls out a play in the first half as the Bishop O'Dowd Dragons played the Modesto Christian Crusaders at Laney College in Oakland, California on March 13, 2018. | Source: Getty Images

LaRonne Armstrong, former Oakland police chief, basketball coach, and another friend of Beam's, placed the event within a broader crisis: gun violence. Armstrong noted that the shooting served as a grim reminder of the continued threat such violence poses to Oakland communities.

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Despite ongoing prevention efforts, he said, the city still has a long way to go to achieve its safety goals. Laney College was briefly placed on lockdown, which was lifted by 1:15 p.m. that Thursday. The return to normalcy, however, felt hollow for many. Beam's absence loomed large, his condition uncertain, his future hanging in the balance.

John Beam's legacy runs deep. Before joining Laney College, he spent 22 years at Skyline High School, building not just winning teams, but strong young men. His passion for second chances and community development led to the college's football program being spotlighted in the 2020 Netflix docuseries "Last Chance U."

The coach revered by many as the "godfather of football in Oakland," famously challenged that title, telling his players:

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"I told them we're not 'Last Chance U,' We're your first chance. We're your Best Chance U. I said you're not (rejects) […] You're the kids who came here for a reason. To better your grades or better your football outlook. We're your best chance."

Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee addressed the shooting, expressing concern over the ongoing scourge of gun violence in the city. She acknowledged the weight of recent events and voiced support for Beam's recovery. She also called for renewed action to keep guns off the streets and ensure schools remain safe.

For over four decades, Beam has shaped not only athletes but also leaders. His commitment to Oakland's youth has been unwavering, his impact undeniable. Now, the man who gave so many their best chance is fighting for his own.

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