The Moment
John Beam, the longtime Laney College athletic director and the tough-love coach many met on Netflix’s Last Chance U, was shot on the Oakland campus Thursday. He was transported to a hospital and is receiving treatment for a gunshot wound, according to officials.
The campus went into lockdown shortly after the incident and later lifted those measures. Police said the initial response treated the situation as a potential active shooter, but they’ve since clarified that it was not an active-shooter scenario. The investigation is ongoing, and classes were called off for the rest of the day.
Laney College in Oakland was placed on lockdown Thursday after athletic director and longtime football coach John Beam was shot on campus, according to authorities and a source familiar with the matter.
Read the latest >> https://t.co/IDv5ph7wLX pic.twitter.com/LfMaQRrKso
— San Francisco Chronicle (@sfchronicle) November 13, 2025
Acting Oakland Police Chief James Beere said the shots were reported just before noon. Police are searching for a suspect who allegedly fled the scene. A preliminary description shared with the community identified the suspect as a male wearing dark clothing and a black hoodie.
The Take
I wish this weren’t where we are, but here we are: a beloved community college figure who helped hundreds of young athletes find their footing is now the victim of campus gunfire. It’s jarring, not just because Beam became a familiar mentor on TV, but because community colleges are lifelines—open doors, open fields, open hearts. They’re not supposed to feel like crime scenes.
There’s a temptation to make this about fame, as if Beam’s notoriety from Last Chance U somehow drew a target. Reality check: fame doesn’t bulletproof anyone, and it doesn’t explain campus violence. Celebrity in this case is context, not cause. Beam’s profile simply means more people care—and are paying attention.
What does matter is that the school moved fast, police moved fast, and the message was clear: No active shooter, but still a serious threat. The suspect is reportedly at large, and that uncertainty rattles any campus family. If Beam’s persona on the show was the steady lighthouse in choppy waters, today proved an ugly truth: a lighthouse still needs a storm plan. Fame is a letterman jacket in a downpour—nice to have, but it won’t keep you dry.
The grown-up read: we can hold two thoughts at once. One, be grateful for quick communication and a lockdown that lifted without further harm. Two, demand better prevention, lighting, patrols, training—whatever a campus needs so a Thursday at noon doesn’t end with an ambulance.
Receipts
- Confirmed
- John Beam, Laney College’s athletic director, was shot on campus and transported to a hospital for treatment, per an official statement from the Peralta Community College District.
- The campus entered lockdown, which was later lifted; officials emphasized this was not an active-shooter incident.
- Shots were reported just before noon, according to Acting Oakland Police Chief James Beere.
- Unverified/Developing
- Suspect description: a male wearing dark clothing and a black hoodie; still being sought by police. Description details and identity have not been confirmed beyond initial alerts.
- No public update on Beam’s specific medical condition or motive behind the shooting as of publication.
Backstory (For Casual Readers)
Beam isn’t just an administrator; he’s the architect of one of California’s most respected junior college football programs. He started at Laney in the mid-2000s, rose to offensive coordinator, then head coach in 2012, guiding the team to league titles and bowl runs. Last Chance U’s 2020 season spotlighted Laney and Beam’s brand of tough, meticulous mentorship. Before Laney, he built powerhouse teams at Skyline High School in Oakland, collecting championships and undefeated seasons—rare air at any level.
What’s Next
Expect updates from Oakland police on the suspect search, any surveillance images released, and whether they believe this was targeted or random. The Peralta Community College District will likely share when campus operations resume fully and whether security protocols will be adjusted.
As for Beam, the community will be watching for a formal health update from his family or the college. If you followed Last Chance U, you know how many former players, assistants, and local coaches consider him family; don’t be surprised if you see outpourings of support online and, eventually, calls to honor him at Laney’s athletic facilities when he’s ready.
One more thing to track: whether this prompts broader safety reviews across Bay Area campuses—daylight incidents are a wake-up call. Better lighting, more patrols, faster alerts—these aren’t flashy fixes, but they save lives.
Sources
- Peralta Community College District official statement to the campus community, Nov. 13, 2025.
- Acting Oakland Police Chief James Beere’s on-record remarks to media, Nov. 13, 2025.
- Laney College emergency alert communications, Nov. 13, 2025.
Thoughtful question: How should colleges balance open, welcoming campuses with tighter security measures that actually keep people safe—without turning schools into fortresses?
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