A viral video exhibiting a Jacksonville, Florida, officer hitting a Black driver throughout a February site visitors cease has sparked public outrage and prompted an inner investigation.
The 2-minute video, posted July 20 on Instagram, reveals William McNeil Jr. calmly asking why he was pulled over earlier than one other officer breaks the motive force’s window and hits him. An officer then unbuckles McNeil’s seatbelt and pulls him from the automobile as he repeatedly asks, “What’s your cause?” As McNeil is compelled to the bottom, the identical officer punches him once more whereas one other yells, “Cease preventing.”
McNeil’s attorneys condemned the incident and demanded accountability from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Workplace.
“What occurred to William McNeil Jr. is a disturbing reminder that even probably the most primary rights — like asking why you’ve been pulled over — will be met with violence for Black People,” attorneys Ben Crump and Harry Daniels mentioned in a joint assertion. “William was calm and compliant. But as a substitute of solutions, he obtained his window smashed and was punched within the face, throughout a questionable declare about headlights in broad daylight.
“This wasn’t regulation enforcement, it was brutality. All video from JSO ought to be launched to make sure there’s transparency for McNeil and the group. We demand full accountability from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Workplace and justice for William McNeil Jr.”
In line with the arrest report, first shared by NBC Affliate First Coast Information, an officer claimed McNeil was driving with out headlights or taillights in dangerous climate and never sporting a seatbelt. The report says McNeil instantly turned verbally combative, refused to exit, present ID, or take heed to the cease’s rationalization, locked the door, and ignored a number of warnings earlier than the window was damaged.
The report additionally claims marijuana was discovered within the car, together with a big knife on the motive force’s floorboard, which police mentioned McNeil allegedly reached for as he was pulled from his car. The report doesn’t point out the pressure used or officers placing him contained in the car.
After being handcuffed, McNeil reported a chipped tooth, and an officer famous blood on his mouth, the report says.
“We’re conscious of a video circulating on social media exhibiting a site visitors cease represented to be from February 19, 2025,” Sheriff T.Ok. Waters mentioned in an announcement. “We’ve got launched an inner investigation into it and the circumstances surrounding this incident. We maintain our officers to the best requirements and are dedicated to completely figuring out precisely what occurred.”
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