LATE BREAKING UPDATE: We are sorry to report that the coach has died from his wounds.
Coach John Beam, the beloved Netflix ‘Last Chance U’ star and 40-year coaching veteran, was gunned down at Laney College in Oakland while the shooter escaped into a city already plagued by rampant crime under failed liberal policies.
Story Snapshot
- Coach John Beam was shot at Laney College Field House this week, during broad daylight.
- The gunman, described as a man in dark clothing, fled the scene and remains at large despite police response.
- Beam, featured in Netflix’s ‘Last Chance U,’ has served as athletic director since 2006.
- Oakland continues struggling with a public safety crisis under progressive leadership.
Another Shooting Rocks Oakland Campus
Coach John Beam was shot shortly before noon at Laney College’s Field House, according to Oakland police and college officials. The 40-year coaching veteran and current athletic director was immediately transported to a local hospital, where he remains under medical care.
This latest violence strikes at the heart of Oakland’s educational community, targeting a man who has dedicated decades to mentoring young people in a city desperately needing positive role models.
A search is underway in Oakland, California for a gunman who opened fire at Laney College on Thursday, critically wounding athletic director and former football coach John Beam, who gained national fame in the Netflix docuseries “Last Chance U.” https://t.co/TxgovwJiSM pic.twitter.com/mMVUCv4x4U
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) November 14, 2025
Suspect Escapes as Crime Crisis Continues
The alleged shooter fled the scene and remains at large, described only as a man wearing dark clothing, according to Oakland Assistant Police Chief James Beere.
Authorities are conducting interviews and reviewing surveillance footage, but the perpetrator’s escape highlights ongoing public safety failures that have plagued Oakland under progressive leadership. The incident forced a campus lockdown and cancellation of classes, disrupting education for students who deserve safe learning environments.
Community Loses a Pillar of Strength
Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee called Beam “a giant in Oakland – a mentor, an educator, and a lifeline for thousands of young people.” The coach gained national recognition through Netflix’s “Last Chance U” series, which showcased his commitment to student-athletes seeking second opportunities.
His decades-long career represents the kind of community leadership that builds stronger neighborhoods, yet he became another victim of the violence that continues plaguing California’s cities under soft-on-crime policies.
Failed Policies Enable Campus Violence
This shooting represents yet another failure of progressive criminal justice policies that prioritize criminals over victims and law-abiding citizens. While college officials emphasize their commitment to safety, the reality remains that California’s approach to public safety has created environments where violence reaches even educational institutions.
The Peralta Community College District’s response focused on privacy and healing, but students and faculty deserve leaders who will confront the root causes of this crime epidemic rather than simply managing its aftermath.
