What Happened to Frank Somerville? Why was He Arrested?
by Sona
Updated Jun 07, 2023
Who is Frank Somerville?
Frank Somerville, is an intriguing figure in the realm of American television journalism. With a career spanning over three decades at KTVU in Oakland, California, Somerville has garnered recognition and acclaim. Notably, he has been bestowed with three esteemed Emmy Awards, with one specifically recognizing his prowess as an exceptional on-camera news anchor.
With such accomplishments under his belt, one can't help but wonder: Who is Frank Somerville, the journalist whose talent and presence have captivated audiences for years? Let's delve further into the enigmatic world of this distinguished television personality and discover the essence of his craft.
What Happened to Frank Somerville?
Frank Somerville, a former Bay Area news anchor known for his public discussions about mental health and substance abuse challenges, recently found himself at the center of a troubling incident. According to authorities, he was arrested twice in a single night following domestic disturbances that unfolded at his family's residence in Berkeley.
The Berkeley Police Department responded to a reported "family altercation" at around 6:36 p.m. on a Monday, arriving at a home on Indian Rock Avenue. Upon their arrival, officers detained Somerville and engaged with all involved parties. It was determined that Somerville, allegedly intoxicated, had arrived at the residence in the midst of ongoing family issues.
Family members had requested that Somerville leave, but he defied their pleas, resulting in a physical altercation that ensued after he allegedly threatened one individual. Both parties involved sustained non-life-threatening injuries and received medical attention from Berkeley Fire Department personnel before being released.
Somerville's brother, Mark, shed further light on the incident, recounting that Somerville had arrived at the house and reportedly threatened their elderly father, who is 91 years old. Mark intervened, instructing Somerville to depart, but a confrontation ensued outside the home, leading Mark to detain Somerville until the arrival of law enforcement.
The circumstances surrounding Frank Somerville's recent arrest and the domestic disturbances that transpired at his family's residence paint a troubling picture. As the story continues to develop, it remains to be seen how these events will impact Somerville personally and professionally, given his prior transparency about his struggles.
Why was Frank Somerville Suspended from the News?
Frank Somerville, a former anchor for KTVU-TV Channel 2 in Oakland, was suspended from the news following a series of incidents. In June 2021, he took a leave of absence after appearing impaired on-air, which he attributed to accidentally taking two Ambien pills. A few months later, he defied his supervisors by attempting to add racial commentary to a broadcast script about Gabby Petito's case, resulting in his suspension.
In December 2021, Somerville was arrested on suspicion of DUI, and his contract was not renewed by KTVU. He later revealed his struggles with mental health and the toll of covering tragic events in Oakland, expressing regrets over self-medication with prescription drugs and alcohol.
Somerville's suspension stemmed from his impaired on-air appearance, his attempt to incorporate racial commentary against his supervisors' guidance, and his subsequent DUI arrest. Mental health issues and the emotional impact of covering distressing news also played a role in his struggles.
Frank Somerville News Career
Frank Somerville embarked on his journalism journey in 1981 as an intern at KTVU while pursuing his education at San Francisco State University. Following his graduation, he gained experience at several local stations before making his way back to the vibrant San Francisco Bay Area. He joined KTVU as the co-anchor of the morning news program in 1992 and later became the anchor of the 5 p.m. newscast when it launched in 2005.
In 2008, he replaced a veteran anchor and took on the co-anchor role for the 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. newscasts. Throughout his career, Somerville faced notable incidents. In 2013, he apologized on behalf of KTVU for a broadcast in which racist pilot names were mistakenly read out in relation to an Asiana Airlines flight.
In June 2021, Frank Somerville took a temporary break from his duties after an on-air incident in which he encountered difficulty reading the script and displayed signs of slurred speech.He returned to his anchor position in August 2021 without addressing the incident.
However, in September 2021, he was suspended for insubordination after attempting to include a "tag" about domestic violence and "missing white woman syndrome" in a story about the Gabby Petito case. In December 2021, he was arrested for driving under the influence.
Somerville's suspension ultimately became permanent in January 2022 when his contract expired, and KTVU decided not to re-sign him. He believes that his dismissal was not solely due to the automotive collision but had been decided by management months earlier. In December 2022, he publicly discussed his departure from the station in a Facebook post.
What Happened to Frank Somerville - FAQs
Frank Somerville is an American television journalist who gained recognition as a news anchor for KTVU-TV Channel 2, a Fox affiliate based in Oakland, California.
According to authorities, he was arrested twice in a single night following domestic disturbances that unfolded at his family's residence in Berkeley.
Frank Somerville was suspended for defying his supervisors by attempting to add racial commentary to a broadcast script about the Gabby Petito case.
Frank Somerville was arrested twice in one night after domestic disturbances at his family's home in Berkeley, California. The incidents occurred following ongoing family issues, and Somerville was allegedly intoxicated and involved in a physical altercation.
Frank Somerville's permanent departure from KTVU occurred when his contract expired in January 2022, and the station decided not to re-sign him.