The man accused of killing longtime Laney College football coach John Beam allegedly told investigators he believed Beam had used witchcraft on him, according to multiple reports.
Prosecutors say Cedric Irving Jr. has been charged with murder after Beam was fatally shot on the campus of Laney College in Oakland, Calif., the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office announced. Irving also faces a firearm enhancement.
Beam, a highly respected figure in Bay Area football, led Laney’s program for decades before retiring as head coach in 2024. He was still serving as the school’s athletic director at the time of his death.
Citing law enforcement sources, outlets including the San Francisco Chronicle, The Mercury News and KTVU reported that Irving allegedly told investigators he believed Beam had used witchcraft on him. The Chronicle also reported that authorities believe Irving had become “fixated” on Beam before the shooting.
If convicted of murder, Irving could face a sentence of 50 years to life in prison. It is not yet clear whether he has entered a plea.
In a statement, Alameda County District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson offered condolences to Beam’s loved ones, saying her office and her own family were “deeply” saddened by his death. She described Beam as embodying “the best of Oakland,” adding that just as his commitment to the community was felt for decades, so too would the impact of his loss.
Beam gained national attention when his Laney College team was featured in the 2020 season of the Netflix docuseries Last Chance U. Around Oakland, he was widely seen as a mentor and steady presence for generations of young athletes.
Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee called Beam “a giant in Oakland — a mentor, an educator, and a lifeline for thousands of young people,” noting that for more than 40 years he had helped shape leaders on and off the field. She said the city was mourning alongside his family.
Police said Beam died a day after being shot in the head on Thursday, Nov. 13. Investigators believe the shooting was targeted.
Oakland Police Assistant Chief James Beere said that although Beam and the suspect did not have a close relationship, Beam was known for being willing to help anyone in the community who needed support, and that it was not unusual for him to extend a hand to people he believed he could help.
