Frank Somerville, a former anchor for KTVU in Oakland, has been arrested on suspicion of assault resulting in serious bodily injury following a confrontation with his daughter. The 67-year-old media veteran was taken into custody on Monday evening, as confirmed by Alameda County jail records listing him at Santa Rita Jail.
Details about the incident remain sparse, with the Oakland Police Department declining to provide comprehensive information, only noting that they responded to a physical assault report on Arlington Avenue. Somerville, in a now-deleted Facebook post, claimed the altercation with his daughter arose when she unexpectedly visited, experiencing marijuana withdrawal and demanding money. According to Somerville, the situation escalated into a physical confrontation after his efforts to calm her failed. He expressed his love for his daughter and described the event as an unfortunate battle.
Efforts to obtain comments from Somerville and his daughter have been unsuccessful. However, Somerville’s attorney, Shannan Dugan, characterized the incident as a “delicate” family matter likely to be resolved outside the courtroom. Dugan emphasized the emotional toll the situation has taken on Somerville, who sustained superficial injuries and expressed hope that the legal proceedings would not permanently harm the father-daughter relationship.
This arrest adds to Somerville’s record, marking his fourth arrest in the past four years. Previous incidents include DUI charges after an on-air incident in the same year he ended his tenure with KTVU. In 2023, he faced arrest twice in one night due to an altercation in Berkeley reportedly linked to intoxication.
This ongoing pattern of legal troubles casts a shadow over Somerville’s career, once distinguished in the Bay Area news landscape. The recent incident underscores the complexities of familial relationships, especially when intertwined with personal struggles.