Suspect Arrested in Shooting of Laney College Coach John Beam

UPDATE: A suspect has been arrested in connection with the on-campus shooting of legendary Laney College coach and current Athletic Director John Beam. Oakland police confirmed the arrest occurred early Friday morning, around 3 a.m., following a manhunt that commenced after the shooting incident on July 14, 2023.

Beam remains in critical condition after being shot in the head during the midday attack at the Laney Field House, located at East 8th Street and Fifth Avenue, just south of Lake Merritt. Authorities reported that the suspect was armed at the time of his arrest, according to sources from ABC7 News.

The shooting unfolded just before noon, prompting an immediate response from law enforcement. Initially, police treated the situation as an active shooter scenario, leading to a lockdown of the campus. The lockdown was lifted later in the day, but the college remained closed for the remainder of Thursday. Classes resumed on Friday.

Nineteen-year-old Geovanni Valverde, a football player at Laney, expressed disbelief at the news of Beam’s shooting. “I was shocked. It didn’t feel real. It was a surreal moment,” Valverde shared. “He has had a big impact on the lives of many young players.” Valverde highlighted Beam’s role in recruiting players and providing them with opportunities to pursue football at higher levels.

In an official statement, the Peralta Community College District confirmed that a senior member of their athletic staff was shot on campus, emphasizing their support for Beam and his family during this crisis. “We are keeping them—and their loved ones—in our hearts during this incredibly difficult time,” the statement read.

Friends and colleagues have expressed their shock and concern following the incident. “What happened today sends shockwaves through the community,” said Lou Richie, head basketball coach at Bishop O’Dowd High School and a longtime friend of Beam. “He has affected more kids than anyone I know in Oakland.”

LaRonne Armstrong, former Oakland police chief and basketball coach, lamented the violence that has impacted a prominent community figure. “To see today where someone who is a pillar in our community suffers at the hands of gun violence lets me know there’s much more work that needs to be done,” he stated.

The college’s football program, previously featured on the Netflix series ‘Last Chance U’ in 2020, was under Beam’s leadership at the time of filming. This developing story continues to resonate across the community as authorities investigate the shooting.

Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact Oakland police at 510-238-3821. Stay tuned for more updates on this urgent situation as it unfolds.