A disturbing video from Jacksonville, Florida, is causing public outcry after it showed police officers breaking a car window and punching a Black driver during a daytime traffic stop.
The footage, released on July 20 by civil rights attorneys Ben Crump and Harry Daniels, shows 31-year-old William McNeil Jr. being struck in the face by a Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office officer during a February incident. The video has since gone viral, prompting the department to launch an internal investigation into the officers’ actions.
The Viral Video
The two-minute clip shows McNeil calmly sitting inside his SUV, questioning why he was pulled over. He can be heard asking, “What is your reason?” multiple times. He shows his hands, remains seated, and questions the need for the stop in broad daylight, particularly about his headlights.
Without much warning, an officer smashes McNeil’s driver-side window, tells him twice to exit the vehicle, and then punches him in the face. Another officer then opens the door, unbuckles McNeil’s seatbelt, and forcibly pulls him from the vehicle. On the ground, McNeil is punched again while an officer yells, “Stop fighting,” though the video does not show McNeil resisting.
Attorney’s Response
McNeil’s attorney, Harry Daniels, said his client was afraid and began recording the incident before officers approached. “It is not uncommon for young African American men to be afraid of the police when they encounter us,” Daniels told People. “So he decided to prop his phone and record it. They didn’t know he was recording.”
Daniels says McNeil suffered significant injuries: a chipped tooth, a cut lip requiring multiple stitches, a concussion, and ongoing short-term memory problems.
Police Version of Events
According to the arrest report, officers said they stopped McNeil because he was driving without headlights or a seatbelt during poor weather conditions. They claimed he was uncooperative, refused to provide ID, locked his car doors, and ignored repeated commands to get out.
Police also stated they found marijuana and a large knife inside the vehicle. The report alleges McNeil reached for the knife as officers tried to remove him.
After being handcuffed, officers noted that McNeil was bleeding from the mouth. People reported that one officer described visible injuries, including a chipped tooth.
Legal Outcome
Court records show McNeil was found guilty of resisting arrest without violence and driving with a suspended license. Other citations were dismissed.
Summary of Key Questions
- What does the video show?
An officer breaks William McNeil Jr.’s window and punches him during a traffic stop, even though McNeil remains seated and does not appear to resist. - Why was he stopped?
Police say he was driving without headlights or a seatbelt in bad weather. - Did he resist arrest?
The video shows verbal questioning from McNeil but no clear signs of physical resistance. - What injuries did he suffer?
A chipped tooth, a lip injury that needed stitches, a concussion, and memory issues. - Was he charged?
Yes, McNeil was found guilty of resisting without violence and driving on a suspended license.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office says its internal affairs division is reviewing the incident.
