John Beam shooting suspect confessed to authorities, affidavit says

The man now held in the fatal shooting of Laney College athletic director John Beam allegedly confessed to homicide investigators and acknowledged owning the gun seized from a duffle bag he had when he was arrested, according to the affidavit in support of the charges filed Monday.

Cedric Irving Jr., 27, is expected to be arraigned Tuesday in Alameda County court in connection with the shooting of the 66-year-old Beam in the coach’s office at Laney College last Thursday. Beam was pronounced dead a day later.

According to the affidavit filed in the case, Irving was seen on campus video surveillance leaving the scene of the shooting last Thursday morning.

“Surveillance footage from the incident was reviewed, and a potential suspect was identified,” the affidavit noted. After he was arrested at the San Leandro BART station early Friday, Irving was interviewed by investigators.

“During an interview, Cedric Irving was admonished of his rights and acknowledged them before providing a statement,” the affidavit says. During the interview, police showed Irving a handgun they found in one of his bags, according to the document.

The documents go on to say, “Irving admitted that the gun located in his bag belonged to immediate possession. When shown a photograph of the handgun that was recovered, Irving admitted that the firearm belonged to him.”

Irving will be charged with murder, with the special allegation of using a firearm. He is also accused of attacking a “particularly vulnerable victim.” Prosecutors say Irving’s alleged violent conduct poses a “serious danger to society.”