OAKLAND, Calif. (RTW News) — A 27-year-old man, Cedric Irving, has been charged with murder following the shooting of John Beam, a celebrated former football coach at Laney College, who died from injuries sustained during the incident. Beam, aged 66, was shot in the head on the junior college's campus and succumbed to his injuries shortly after being transported to the hospital.
If convicted, Irving could face a sentence of 50 years to life, as reported by Alameda County District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson. The charges against him include enhancements for personally firing the weapon, which caused significant injury and exploited Beam's vulnerability. “He really is the best of Oakland — was the best of Oakland,” Jones Dickson commented during a press conference, emphasizing Beam's role as a community pillar and ‘father figure’ to many young players.
Irving, who is currently held without bail, was arrested shortly after the shooting incident, with authorities noting that he had the firearm used in the shooting on him. While he has no prior criminal record, comments from police indicated that the incident was targeted. Witness accounts revealed that Beam was well-loved, having coached numerous young athletes and contributing significantly to their development.
The local community has been shaken by this tragedy, especially in light of recent violence on educational campuses in Oakland. Just a week prior to Beam’s death, another shooting took place at Skyline High School, highlighting a troubling pattern of gun violence affecting schools.
Gun violence advocates called for immediate changes to address the ease of access to firearms for young people in the Oakland area, denouncing a troubling norm where lockdowns in schools have become commonplace. Jones Dickson expressed her disdain for the normalization of such violence, reflecting a wider concern over the safety of students in the community.
As Beam's family, friends, and former players mourn his loss, the focus continues to remain on not only justice for this beloved coach but also on preventing future tragedies within the community.
If convicted, Irving could face a sentence of 50 years to life, as reported by Alameda County District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson. The charges against him include enhancements for personally firing the weapon, which caused significant injury and exploited Beam's vulnerability. “He really is the best of Oakland — was the best of Oakland,” Jones Dickson commented during a press conference, emphasizing Beam's role as a community pillar and ‘father figure’ to many young players.
Irving, who is currently held without bail, was arrested shortly after the shooting incident, with authorities noting that he had the firearm used in the shooting on him. While he has no prior criminal record, comments from police indicated that the incident was targeted. Witness accounts revealed that Beam was well-loved, having coached numerous young athletes and contributing significantly to their development.
The local community has been shaken by this tragedy, especially in light of recent violence on educational campuses in Oakland. Just a week prior to Beam’s death, another shooting took place at Skyline High School, highlighting a troubling pattern of gun violence affecting schools.
Gun violence advocates called for immediate changes to address the ease of access to firearms for young people in the Oakland area, denouncing a troubling norm where lockdowns in schools have become commonplace. Jones Dickson expressed her disdain for the normalization of such violence, reflecting a wider concern over the safety of students in the community.
As Beam's family, friends, and former players mourn his loss, the focus continues to remain on not only justice for this beloved coach but also on preventing future tragedies within the community.
