Oakland man charged for murder of John Beam believed Netflix’s ‘Last Chance U’ coach was using witchcraft on him

An Oakland, Calif., man has been charged with murder in the targeted assassination of legendary Laney College football coach John Beam. Cedric Irving Jr., 27, allegedly shot Beam in the head because he believed the star of Netflix’s “Last Chance U” was using witchcraft on him. The incident occurred on campus, and Beam tragically passed away the next morning.

Irving was identified as the shooter through surveillance camera footage and was arrested on Friday. He confessed to the murder and also admitted to owning the gun used in the shooting. According to reports, Irving had a fixation on Beam and believed that the coach had used black magic on him and others.

The former high school football player faces charges of murder and using a gun in the killing of the 66-year-old coach. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of 25 years to life. Irving is scheduled to be arraigned on Tuesday.

Although Irving never played under Beam, the two knew each other from Skyline High School, where Beam coached for 22 years. Irving was known to loiter around the Laney College campus. Oakland Police Department’s assistant chief James Beere described the shooting as a very targeted incident.

The Laney College community is devastated by the loss of Coach Beam. Laney Chancellor Tammeil Gilkerson expressed shock and heartbreak over the violence that has touched the campus. Beam, who joined Laney’s football coaching staff in 2004 and became head coach in 2012, was featured in the Netflix series in 2020. Twenty of his former players have gone on to play in the NFL.

Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee expressed her thoughts and prayers for Coach Beam and his loved ones, emphasizing Beam’s impact on the Oakland community as a mentor and educator. The mayor called for an end to gun violence, especially on school campuses.

The tragic incident has shaken the Laney College and Oakland community, highlighting the need for safer spaces and the removal of guns from the streets. As the community mourns the loss of Coach Beam, they stand together in support of his family and loved ones.