Police say a senior Laney College athletic staff member was shot in the Laney Field House shortly before noon Thursday and taken to a local hospital. Sources have identified the injured person as athletic director and coach John Beam, though the district initially withheld the name out of privacy. The suspected shooter, described as a man in dark clothing, fled the scene and remains at large; authorities are reviewing surveillance footage and conducting interviews. The campus lockdown has been lifted, but the college is closed for the day while the investigation continues.
Laney College Athletic Staff Member Shot on Campus; Suspect at Large — Campus Closed, Investigation Underway
Athletic staff member shot at Laney College; suspect remains at large
A senior member of the athletic department at Laney College in Oakland was shot on campus shortly before noon Thursday, school and police officials said. Responding officers found the injured person in the Laney Field House and the victim was transported immediately to a local hospital for treatment.
Peralta Community College District officials described the victim as a senior member of the college's athletic staff but initially withheld the name out of respect for the individual's privacy. Local media sources subsequently identified the injured person as John Beam, Laney's athletic director and longtime football coach; Beam's program was previously featured on the Netflix series Last Chance U.
"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," the district said in a statement.
Oakland Assistant Police Chief James Beere said the victim is currently being treated at a hospital. Authorities said the suspected shooter fled the scene and remains at large. The suspect has been described as a man wearing dark clothing. Investigators are conducting interviews and reviewing surveillance footage as they work to locate the person of interest.
Officials emphasized the incident is not being treated as an active shooter situation. A campus lockdown that was put in place during the initial law enforcement response has been lifted after police confirmed there was no ongoing threat. However, the college campus is closed for the remainder of the day and all in-person classes have been canceled while the investigation continues.
Background
John Beam is a well-known figure in Bay Area football, having coached for more than 40 years and served as Laney College's athletic director since 2006. His team was featured on a season of Last Chance U, which brought wider attention to the program.
This is a developing story. Authorities ask anyone with information or relevant video to contact the Oakland Police Department. Updates will be provided as more details become available.
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