‘Last Chance U’ football coach John Beam shot at Laney College
Nov. 14 (UPI) — John Beam, the Laney College athletic director who was featured in the Netflix series Last Chance U, has been shot, according to authorities and officials.
The shooting occurred at noon Thursday at the Laney College Field House, the Peralta Community College District, which Laney College is a part of, said in a statement.
The Oakland school went into lockdown. It remained closed for the remainder of the day.
Acting Oakland Police Chief James Beere told reporters during a press conference that officers arrived at the scene to find a victim suffering from a gunshot wound who was immediately transported to a local hospital.
The school district identified the victim as a “senior member of our athletic staff.” It was later revealed that Beam — who was featured in season 5 of the hit Netflix show about struggling college football athletes — had been shot.
“Coach Beam is a giant in Oakland — a mentor, an educator and a lifeline for thousands of young people,” Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee said in a statement.
“For over 40 years, he has shaped leaders on and off the field, and our community is shaken alongside his family.”
Authorities are searching for a potential suspect, described as a male of an unknown race, wearing dark clothing and a dark hoodie. Beere said the suspect had been seen fleeing the scene.
“I know that there was some concern that this may have been an active shooter. We responded as if it was an active shooter,” he said.
“I can tell you right now it was not an active shooter.”
Witnesses were being interviewed and surveillance footage was being reviewed, he said.
Beam is the athletics director and head football coach at Laney, according to the school’s website.