Suspect charged in killing of beloved Oakland football coach John Beam

OAKLAND — The man suspected of killing Laney College’s legendary football coach John Beam has just been charged with enough crimes to put him in prison for at least 50 years to life if convicted, court records show.

Cedric Irving Jr., 27, was charged with murder and an enhancement alleging he personally discharged a firearm, along with additional enhancements for allegedly targeting a “vulnerable” victim and causing great bodily harm, court records show. Irving, a Skyline High graduate, was arrested just hours after he killed Beam on the college campus where Irving was known to loiter, according to police.

Irving allegedly confessed to the shooting. Police say they recovered the suspected murder weapon from a backpack when Irving was arrested Friday morning.

Irving allegedly shot Beam, 66, shortly before noon Thursday, inside Laney’s Field House, an athletic facility housing the college’s administrative offices and other facilities near Fifth Avenue and East Eighth Street, police said. He was rushed to a hospital, placed on life support and his death was announced Friday morning.

Irving was arrested at the San Leandro BART station on Friday morning, following an intense manhunt that involved a huge police presence on campus.

In an interview with detectives, “Irving admitted that he was the person that shot John Beam,” according to a police affidavit that was filed in court.

The homicide came a day after the longtime coach — who garnered national fame five years ago from the Netflix show “Last Chance U” — raised concerns to Laney leaders about safety on the college district’s four campuses, including at the Field House where he was mortally wounded.

Authorities have not yet released a suspected motive. Irving is being held at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin without bail, with his first court appearance set for Tuesday, records show.

Prosecutors are expected to announce the charges at a news conference scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Monday.

Court records indicate Irving has no prior felony convictions.

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