Shock and Mystery Surround John Beam’s Shooting at Oakland College—What Really Happened?

John Beam—yeah, the very same coach who caught national attention during the last run of Netflix’s “Last Chance U”—has found himself in a devastating situation. Reports from KTVU and the New York Times tell us that Beam was shot this past Thursday, and the news isn’t sugarcoated: his condition is described as gravely wounded. This incident unfolded right at Laney College’s football complex, where Beam has been a cornerstone since 2012, coaching until 2024 and still holding down the fort as the athletic director. What shakes me is how a place dedicated to building futures and dreams got hit by such violence—makes your heart sink. Authorities say the suspect took off, cloaked in dark clothing, leaving the community reeling. Meanwhile, the campus initially feared an active shooter situation before confirming only one was shot—a senior athletic staff member who will remain unnamed out of privacy. These moments reveal the brutal reality that even institutions like Laney aren’t immune to the relentless plague of gun violence. The football community, especially here in the Bay Area, knows Beam as more than a coach—he’s been a mentor, a motivator, a man who’s propelled over 20 players to the NFL. It’s a harsh blow not just to Laney but to every life he’s ever touched. For all the grit and heart John Beam has shown on and off the field, this news stings deep.

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John Beam, a junior college football coach who gained fame in the final season of Netflix‘s “Last Chance U,” was shot Thursday according to KTVU and the New York Times. The Times described his condition as “gravely wounded.”

The shooting reportedly occurred at the football facility on the campus of Laney College, where Beam worked as head coach since 2012 before stepping down in 2024. He remains the school’s athletic director.

An Oakland police department official reportedly said the suspect fled the scene and described him as a male of unknown race wearing all-dark clothing and a black hoodie.

The Peralta Community College District initially sent out an emergency alert saying an active shooter was on campus, but later clarified only one person was shot. A subsequent statement did not directly identify Beam, describing him only as a senior member of the athletic staff, but said he had been transported to the hospital.

From KTVU:

“A senior member of our athletic staff was shot on campus in the Laney Field House. The individual was immediately transported to a local hospital, and we are keeping them—and their loved ones—in our hearts during this incredibly difficult time. Out of respect for their privacy, we are not releasing their name at this moment,” the college said.

Oakland, CA - October 30: Laney College signage on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025 in Oakland, CA.(David M. Barreda / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) — John Beam gained fame, and respect, in “Last Chance U.” (David M. Barreda / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

(Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Beam is a well-known figure in the Bay Area football community, and his efforts were documented on “Last Chance U” in 2020. Unlike other seasons of the show, Beam was portrayed as an empathetic coach relentlessly dedicated to his players, and one who got results. Before Laney, he recorded a 160-33-3 record as football coach at Skyline High School.

Between the two jobs, Beam has seen over 20 players reach the NFL. In an eerie coincidence, a student was reportedly shot at Skyline less than 24 hours earlier.

Oakland mayor Barbara Lee released a statement and said that police were still investigating, via the Times:

“I am heartbroken by today’s shooting at Laney College — the second shooting on an Oakland campus in one week,” Ms. Lee said. “We must continue confronting the ongoing gun violence crisis that is robbing our community of safety and stealing futures.”