On Thursday, a shooting incident at Laney College, a renowned Bay Area educational institution, resulted in a lockdown. The incident involved the college’s esteemed athletic director and former football coach, John Beam, and took place around midday in the campus field house. Local law enforcement responded promptly and thoroughly to the situation.
John Beam, 66, is a highly regarded figure in Bay Area sports and has gained national fame through the Netflix series “Last Chance U.” He also guided Laney to a community college football championship in 2018. After the incident, Beam was rushed to a local hospital, but his condition remains undisclosed, and no suspect has been identified.
The Peralta Community College District, which supervises Laney College, confirmed that the campus was secure and there was no ongoing threat to students or staff. However, in-person classes were suspended for the rest of the day to facilitate evidence collection by investigators.
The shooting occurred in the Laney Field House, a building next to the football field. Police arrived at the scene within minutes, initiated a lockdown, and conducted a thorough search of the campus. It is believed that the suspect fled the scene on foot immediately after the shooting.
District officials initially described the victim as a senior member of the athletic staff, and his identity was later confirmed by multiple Bay Area news outlets. As of Thursday evening, no arrests had been made, and the motive behind the shooting was still unknown. Authorities have requested public assistance in providing any information related to the incident.
Beam has had a successful career in Oakland sports. Before joining Laney in 2012, he led successful teams at Skyline High School and was known for mentoring local players who went on to play at four-year colleges and in professional leagues. He retired as head coach in 2024 but continued to serve as athletic director.
During the lockdown, police set up a perimeter around the field house and limited access to nearby areas. Afternoon class students were escorted out, while staff members were advised to lock doors and mute their phones. The district announced that classes would remain suspended to allow police to continue their investigation.
News of the incident shocked former players and colleagues, who expressed their support for Beam. Many community members lauded his commitment to nurturing young athletes in Oakland’s high schools and community colleges. The campus resumed limited operations after the lockdown was lifted, with further updates expected from officials.