Laney College Shooting Reignites Debate Over Campus Security Following Coach Beam's Death

OAKLAND, CA – The fatal shooting of John Beam, Laney College's athletic director and esteemed former head football coach, on November 14, 2025, has intensified a contentious public debate surrounding campus security policies. Beam, a beloved figure known for his mentorship, succumbed to his injuries a day after the incident. Police have since arrested 27-year-old Cedric Irving Jr., identifying the attack as targeted.

Oakland Assistant Police Chief James Beere confirmed Irving's arrest and noted that the suspect had been known to loiter around the Laney campus. While the specific motive remains under investigation, police stated that Irving had played football at Skyline High School, where Coach Beam previously worked, though not during Beam's tenure. The apprehension of Irving Jr. occurred without further incident, and a weapon was recovered.

The tragedy has prompted strong reactions, with community figures like Seneca Scott explicitly linking the incident to past security decisions. Scott stated on social media, "> Of course Blah Blah politicizes this with the usual “gun violence” talking talks while ignoring that the Defund The Police movement removed armed officers from Laney in 2020." He further alleged that "Progressives" were behind the removal of police and claimed that Oakland City Council member Carroll Fife "even tried to get her husband the security contract."

In 2020, the Peralta Community College District (PCCD, which oversees Laney College, opted to terminate its contract with the Alameda County Sheriff's Department. This decision, influenced by the "Defund The Police" movement, led to the introduction of community-based security services. Reports from the time highlighted concerns that some of the newly contracted companies, including Community Ready Corps and Zulu Community Protection, lacked proper licensing, and the new security model incurred a significantly higher cost.

Further scrutiny arose in November 2020 regarding potential conflicts of interest within these new security contracts. Oakland City Council member Carroll Fife's husband, Akil Riley, was identified as a principal in Community Ready Corps, one of the firms awarded a contract by PCCD. Fife publicly denied any conflict, asserting her lack of involvement in the Peralta Board's voting process on the contracts.

Coach Beam, widely recognized from the Netflix series "Last Chance U," leaves behind a legacy of profound influence on countless young athletes and the Oakland community. His death has not only sparked widespread grief but has also brought renewed urgency to discussions about public safety, the role of law enforcement on college campuses, and the efficacy of alternative security models.