Coach John Beam, the longtime Laney College coach featured on Netflix’s “Last Chance U,” was allegedly shot in what police describe as a targeted attack on the Laney College campus in Oakland in November 2025. Prosecutors say 27‑year‑old Cedric Irving Jr. has been charged with murder and related firearm enhancements in connection with Beam’s death.

What reportedly motivated the shooting

Several outlets, citing law‑enforcement sources and charging documents, report that Irving told investigators he believed Coach Beam had used witchcraft on him.

  • These reports say Irving was “fixated” on Beam and claimed Beam had performed witchcraft on him, which appears to be the central alleged motive described by investigators so far.
  • Police have publicly called the shooting “targeted,” meaning they believe Beam was specifically singled out rather than being a random victim.

It’s important to note:

  • Motive descriptions at this stage are based on what police and prosecutors say the suspect told them and what appears in early court documents; they have not yet been tested at a full trial.
  • As of the latest reports, Irving has been charged but not convicted, and legal proceedings are ongoing.

What happened in the shooting itself

  • Date and place: Beam was shot late morning at the athletics field house on the Laney College campus in Oakland, California.
  • Injury and death: He suffered a gunshot wound to the head, was transported to a hospital in critical condition, and died the following day.
  • Arrest: Irving was arrested a few hours later at a nearby rail/bus station, where police say he still had the firearm used in the shooting and admitted to carrying out the attack, according to a probable‑cause statement.

Relationship between Coach Beam and the suspect

Authorities and local officials have said Beam did not have a conventional personal relationship with Irving, but the suspect appears to have known of Beam.

  • Reports indicate the suspect was not a Laney College student, but he had been on or around the campus frequently.
  • Some reporting notes that Irving played at Skyline High School years after Beam had already left that program, so any football link appears indirect and not coach‑player.

Context around campus safety

The day before he was shot, Beam publicly raised concerns about campus security after a break‑in at the Laney field house.

  • Student journalists documented him criticizing what he described as an “inadequate” security response and asking pointed questions about protection for students and staff.
  • Police and prosecutors, however, have not formally tied those security complaints to the shooting motive; the alleged witchcraft belief remains the main motive described in reports so far.

Where things stand now

  • Legal status: Irving faces a murder charge and firearm enhancements that could carry a sentence of 50 years to life if he is convicted.
  • Ongoing process: Until the case is resolved in court, details about motive remain allegations and may evolve as more evidence is presented.

Bottom line: Coach Beam was reportedly shot in a targeted attack by a man who, according to police and media reports, claimed he believed Beam had used witchcraft on him; this alleged delusion is the main explanation authorities have offered so far, but the case is still moving through the courts.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.