The Citizen obtained records from the Alameda County Coroner’s Office that show former Laney College Athletic Director John Beam was shot “after a brief altercation.”

The nature of the altercation and other details surrounding the shooting remain unclear.

The Citizen contacted the Oakland Police Department (OPD) for more details about the altercation, but they did not respond in time for publication.

The coroner’s report indicates that Beam suffered multiple contusions, or bruises, on his chest, knees, arms, and left hand. There were also abrasions on his forehead and nose.

Beam was fatally shot on campus at the Laney Fieldhouse on Nov. 13, 2025. According to OPD records, the incident occurred at 11:53 a.m..

He was pronounced dead the following morning at the age of 66.

The suspect, Cedric Irving Jr., was arrested at the San Leandro BART station at 4:01 a.m. on Nov. 14, 2025 and has been in custody at the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin, CA. since then.

Irving faces murder charges and several sentence enhancements. In California, sentence enhancements are used to add carceral time to the original charges. Since Irving has been declared mentally incompetent to stand trial, criminal proceedings are suspended indefinitely pending the status of his treatment.

Multimedia Editor Desmond Meagley contributed reporting