A sense of safety was shattered at Laney College in Oakland this Thursday when a shooting on campus left a beloved member of the community wounded. The incident, which triggered a swift lockdown and a large police response, occurred just before noon at the college’s athletics fieldhouse. As officers secured the scene, the community learned the victim was not just any staff member, but a local legend: John Beam, the school’s athletic director and a former football coach famously featured on the Netflix series “Last Chance U.”
Authorities have confirmed that the suspected shooter fled the scene and remains at large, leaving the community shaken and searching for answers. This event marks the second shooting on an Oakland school campus in just two days, following an incident at Skyline High School that left a student injured. Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee expressed the city’s collective heartbreak, stating that schools should be places of safety and calling for guns to be taken off the streets.
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The Search for a Suspect and a Motive
The calm of the Laney College campus was broken at approximately 11:50 a.m. on Thursday when reports of gunshots sent the school into an immediate lockdown. Police initially responded to the situation as a potential active shooter incident, urging students and staff to shelter in place. After a thorough search of the grounds, authorities declared the campus safe and lifted the lockdown about an hour later, though the college canceled in-person classes for the remainder of the day.
Oakland Police Assistant Chief James Beere provided details at a news conference, stating that investigators are currently reviewing surveillance video and conducting interviews to piece together what happened. The only description of the suspect available so far is of a male, of unknown race, who was last seen wearing all dark clothing and a black hoodie. The motive for the shooting is still completely unknown, and police have asked for the public’s help in locating the individual.
Beloved Laney College Athletic Director John Beam, whose team was featured on Netflix’s “Last Chance U,” has been shot on campus, sources tell ABC station KGO. The school was placed on lockdown. @mattgutmanABC reports. https://t.co/d7bz2ay4dD pic.twitter.com/CFbtwRmSJQ
— World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) November 14, 2025
The shooting took place in the Laney Field House, a building that houses athletic facilities and offices. Councilman Ken Houston mentioned that Beam was in his office when the shooting occurred. Emergency services transported Beam to a local hospital for treatment. Initial reports from officials on Thursday night described him as being in critical condition, though his specific injuries have not been officially released.
A Coaching Legend and a Community Pillar
For those in Oakland and beyond, the name John Beam is synonymous with mentorship, leadership, and profound community impact. At 66 years old, Beam has spent more than four decades coaching football at both the high school and junior college levels in the city. He served as the head football coach at Laney College from 2012 until his retirement from coaching last year, after which he continued in his role as the school’s athletic director, a position he has held since 2006.
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Beam’s career is decorated with success on the field. He led the Laney Eagles to their first CCCAA football state championship in 2018 and, throughout his tenure, coached over 20 players who went on to professional careers in the NFL. His work gained national attention when he and the Laney team were profiled in the fifth season of the Netflix documentary “Last Chance U” in 2020. The series showcased not only the team’s athletic struggles and successes but also the socio-economic challenges faced by the players in a changing Oakland.
However, those who know him emphasize that his true legacy lies in his holistic approach to coaching. Beam was known for his philosophy that extended far beyond the gridiron, focusing on building character and preparing young people for life. He was often described as a mentor and a lifeline for thousands of young people, many of whom came from difficult backgrounds.
John Beam, athletic director at @Laney_College in Oakland & legendary former @LaneyCollegeFB coach, shot & wounded on campus. @oaklandpoliceca searching for shooter https://t.co/3Lj5sW2ZWb pic.twitter.com/1SamRWA1C0
— Henry K. Lee (@henrykleeKTVU) November 14, 2025
In a 2022 interview, Beam explained that while he displayed NFL jerseys to inspire his students, he also brought in former players who had become doctors, authors, and police officers to show that a successful future could take many forms. Oakland Mayor Lee captured the community’s sentiment, calling Beam “a giant in Oakland” whose impact has shaped leaders on and off the field for over 40 years.
As the investigation continues, the Laney College community and the city of Oakland are left to hope for John Beam’s recovery and to confront the recurring tragedy of gun violence in their schools. Police are urging anyone with information about the shooting to come forward to help bring the perpetrator to justice.
