Former Alameda Civic Leader's Grandson Arrested in Berkeley Slaying

A man arrested in connection with a Berkeley slaying Saturday night is the grandson of former Alameda city councilman and civic leader Al DeWitt.

Daniel Dewitt, a 2007 Alameda High School graduate, was arrested in a Berkeley hills neighborhood Saturday night after police responded to a report of a suspicious person near a family's garage. 

A woman called the police to report a prowler near Shasta Road and Grizzly Peak Boulevard. The man went out to confront him and was assaulted, police said.

The man was treated at the scene and transported to a local trauma center. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Berkeley police have not released the victim's identity, but the San Francisco Chronicle reported that according to property records and neighbors, Peter Cukor, 67, owned the home where the slaying occurred. 

Daniel Dewitt was arrested nearby and is scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday.

Al DeWitt, who died of stomach cancer in 2003, was the first African-American to serve on Alameda's City Council. He served nine years, first as councilman, then vice mayor, and later as acting mayor.

Daniel Dewitt's mother, Candy Dewitt, told the San Francisco Chronicle, that her son had a history of mental illness. 

Daniel Dewitt, who played football at Alameda High, is pictured here on his MaxPreps profile page. 

His name appears on this list of 2007 Alameda High graduates.