The world of college football in the United States faces a devastating loss. John Beam, a longtime coach at Laney College and a central figure in the 2020 season of the Netflix series Last Chance U, was shot and killed on campus, the Oakland Police Department reported. Authorities also confirmed that a suspect was arrested. The news was announced Friday by Police Chief Floyd Mitchell, just one day after the armed attack. According to the official version, the attack was not random. A targeted attack and the suspect's swift arrest. “This was a very targeted incident,” stated Assistant Chief James Beere, who added that the suspect knew Beam, although they were not close. “The coach was willing to help everyone in our community,” he added, describing the coach as an open, approachable figure with a strong commitment to young people. Beere stated that the detainee did not study or play for Beam at Skyline High School, but was known to “loit” around the campus. Authorities reported that the arrest occurred without confrontation and that a firearm was recovered. Formal charges are still pending. Police highlighted the role of technology in the progress of the case. Security cameras on campus, in private residences, and on public transportation helped locate and arrest the suspect. The suspect's identity was not released.

Beam's murder occurred amid a worrying wave of violence: it was the second school shooting in Oakland in just two days.

A Role Model for Thousands of Young People

John Beam was much more than a football coach. This was expressed by Fred Shavies, Piedmont Police Chief and former Deputy Chief in Oakland, who described himself as a friend, student, and admirer of the coach. "John was much more than a coach," he said. "He was a father figure to thousands, not just young men, but also young women in our community."

Shavies said he met Beam in eighth grade, and that the coach stayed by his side even after his father's death. He described him as "an absolutely incredible human being" and wondered how he managed to impact so many people "with only 24 hours a day,right?"

The magnitude of his influence was evident in the vigil that brought together hundreds of people outside the hospital where Beam "fought," just as he taught his players to fight for four decades.

Former students and sports figures also reacted. Brothers Nahshon and Rejzohn Wright, now NFL players, expressed their grief on social media. "You mean the world to me," Rejzohn wrote alongside a photograph of the coach. His brother posted another image accompanied by a broken heart emoji.

Major Barbara Lee also paid tribute to Beam, whom she described as a "giant," a mentor, and a pillar for the youth of Oakland. “For more than 40 years, he developed leaders on and off the field, and our community is shocked along with his family,” he said. titles, and according to official college data, 20 of its players went on to play in the NFL. In a statement, Mark Johnson, spokesperson for the Peralta Community College district, said, “We are stunned and heartbroken that such violence has struck our campus,” lamenting the impact of the attack on the entire academic community. And according to official data from the college itself, 20 of its players went on to play in the NFL. In a statement, Mark Johnson, spokesperson for the Peralta Community College district, said: “We are stunned and heartbroken that such violence has struck our campus,” lamenting the impact of the attack on the entire academic community. And according to official data from the college itself, 20 of its players went on to play in the NFL. In a statement, Mark Johnson, spokesperson for the Peralta Community College district, said: “We are stunned and heartbroken that such violence has struck our campus,” lamenting the impact of the attack on the entire academic community.the college won two league titles, and according to official college data, 20 of its players went on to play in the NFL. In a statement, Mark Johnson, spokesperson for the Peralta Community College district, said, “We are stunned and heartbroken that such violence has struck our campus,” lamenting the impact of the attack on the entire academic community. And according to official data from the college itself, 20 of its players went on to play in the NFL. In a statement, Mark Johnson, spokesperson for the Peralta Community College district, said: “We are stunned and heartbroken that such violence has struck our campus,” lamenting the impact of the attack on the entire academic community. And according to official data from the college itself, 20 of its players went on to play in the NFL. In a statement, Mark Johnson, spokesperson for the Peralta Community College district, said: “We are stunned and heartbroken that such violence has struck our campus,” lamenting the impact of the attack on the entire academic community.the college won two league titles, and according to official college data, 20 of its players went on to play in the NFL. In a statement, Mark Johnson, spokesperson for the Peralta Community College district, said, “We are stunned and heartbroken that such violence has struck our campus,” lamenting the impact of the attack on the entire academic community. And according to official data from the college itself, 20 of its players went on to play in the NFL. In a statement, Mark Johnson, spokesperson for the Peralta Community College district, said: “We are stunned and heartbroken that such violence has struck our campus,” lamenting the impact of the attack on the entire academic community. And according to official data from the college itself, 20 of its players went on to play in the NFL. In a statement, Mark Johnson, spokesperson for the Peralta Community College district, said: “We are stunned and heartbroken that such violence has struck our campus,” lamenting the impact of the attack on the entire academic community.