Man Charged with Murder of Coach John Beam Confesses, Faces Life
UPDATE: A shocking turn in the murder case of beloved football coach John Beam as authorities confirm that Cedric Irving Jr., 27, has been charged with his murder after allegedly confessing to the deadly shooting. This urgent development comes just days after Beam was gunned down at Laney College in Oakland on July 27, 2023.
According to court documents obtained earlier today, Irving allegedly admitted to using a firearm found in his bag to fatally shoot Beam, who succumbed to his injuries the following day. The incident, which has sent shockwaves through the community, occurred as students from Skyline High School were on a field trip to Laney College.
Authorities report that Irving was apprehended early Friday at a transit station in Oakland after being identified in surveillance footage from the scene. Alameda County District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson revealed that the weapon used in the shooting was registered to Irving, who has no prior criminal history.
Irving is set to be arraigned on murder and gun charges on Tuesday, July 31, 2023, facing a potential sentence of 50 years to life in prison if convicted. It remains unclear whether he has legal representation.
“He really was the best of Oakland,” said Jones Dickson, praising Beam’s deep commitment to the community. “He always had the time. He always had the energy. He always had the heart for the work.”
Beam, a prominent figure featured in Netflix’s “Last Chance U,” coached at Laney after a lengthy career at Skyline High School, where he mentored several NFL players, including C.J. Anderson of the Denver Broncos.
In a poignant tribute, Rejzohn Wright of the New Orleans Saints expressed his grief on Instagram, stating, “You mean the world to me.” The murder of Beam, along with a non-fatal shooting at Skyline High School just a day prior, prompted Jones Dickson to announce a reinstatement of mandatory-minimum sentences for gun crimes. “They had lockdowns two days in a row,” she said. “That’s unacceptable.”
Authorities are still investigating the motive behind the shooting. While Irving and Beam were not close, they had crossed paths during Beam’s extensive work in the Oakland community. “The contact that he would have with anyone around the school would not be unusual,” Jones Dickson noted.
As the community mourns the loss of a dedicated coach and mentor, many are left asking what led to this tragic event. The arraignment on Tuesday is expected to shed more light on the circumstances surrounding this shocking murder.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
