John Beam murder case takes chilling turn as suspect claims Netflix coach used witchcraft on him

John Beam, a well-known college football coach and Netflix star, was shot and killed on his own campus in a case that has now taken a disturbing turn. Police say the man accused of murdering Beam told officers he believed the coach had put “witchcraft” or a “hex” on him. The claim has added another dark layer to a killing that already shocked the local sports world.

Beam, 66, was the athletic director at Laney College in Oakland and a longtime face of the Netflix series Last Chance U. He was shot last month at the school’s athletics field house in what police described as a targeted attack. Officers rushed to the campus before noon after reports of gunfire. Beam was taken to the hospital with a gunshot wound to the head and died the next day.




The suspect, Cedric Irving Jr., 27, was arrested the following morning at the San Leandro BART station. He is charged with murder and several sentence enhancements. If convicted, he could face 50 years to life in prison. His arraignment is scheduled for Tuesday, December 16.

According to the East Bay Times, Irving told police after his arrest that he believed John Beam had used witchcraft against him. Officers found a firearm inside one of Irving’s bags. In a probable cause statement, police wrote that Irving admitted the gun was his and said he used it to shoot Beam. He was taken to Santa Rita Jail in Dublin and held without bail.

Cedric Irving Jr. accused of killing John Beam as police rule out personal relationship

Oakland Police Department Acting Chief James Beere said that even though Irving knew who John Beam was, investigators found no personal relationship between the two. “They did not have a relationship,” Beere told reporters, as cited by local outlets.

At his first court appearance last month, Irving did not enter a plea. He appeared behind glass wearing a “modesty garment,” which is used to prevent self-harm. Witnesses said he looked wide-eyed during the hearing. His formal arraignment was delayed and set for December 16.

John Beam was deeply respected in the community. He coached college football for more than four decades and was seen as a father figure by many players. The Netflix series Last Chance U followed Beam and the Laney Eagles during the 2020 season. After retiring from coaching last year, he continued working as the school’s athletic director.

Before his death, Beam had raised concerns about campus safety. According to The Citizen, he spoke about a nearby fire, a break-in at the field house, and said he felt less safe after armed deputies stopped guarding the campus. Laney College’s contract with the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office ended in 2020, and the school later hired unarmed security officers.

Prosecutors have said Irving has no prior criminal record. As the case moves forward, the community continues to mourn a coach who left a lasting mark on college football.

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