JSO defends officers in viral beating of William McNeil Jr. [VIDEO]

Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Defends Officers After Viral Traffic Stop of William McNeil Jr.

Jacksonville officials are under intense scrutiny after a February 19, 2025, traffic stop involving 22-year-old William Anthony McNeil Jr. went viral. Thus, showing police breaking his car window and punching him during a roadside encounter.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) released body camera footage during a July 21 press conference, following public backlash to a cellphone video posted online the previous day. The footage and the stop have drawn national attention, as prominent civil rights attorneys, including Ben Crump, argue the use of force was excessive, especially considering McNeil’s calm demeanor in the viral video.

Incident Overview: Traffic Stop Escalates Into Violence

According to JSO, Officer D. Bowers initiated the stop after observing McNeil driving without headlights during inclement weather and allegedly not wearing a seatbelt. The stop quickly escalated when McNeil questioned the reason and refused to exit the vehicle, repeatedly requesting a supervisor instead.

When backup arrived, officers broke McNeil’s window, punched him, and forcibly removed him from the car. He was arrested and later pleaded guilty to resisting an officer without violence and driving on a suspended license. A marijuana possession charge was dropped.

The officers claim McNeil was non-compliant and reached for a knife. However, this assertion is not clearly supported in the footage, and McNeil’s team firmly disputes the allegation.

Sheriff Waters: ‘Force Looks Ugly — But It Was Lawful’

In a lengthy press conference, Sheriff T.K. Waters defended the legality of the officers’ actions, stating that they “did not violate criminal law.” He noted that “all force looks ugly” but emphasized that McNeil’s failure to comply “escalated the situation.”

“The truth is William McNeil Jr. was non-compliant. His non-compliance quickly rose,” Waters said.
“The law is clear: A person must comply with an officer’s commands, even if they disagree.”

He also pushed back against public backlash, accusing McNeil of withholding the video for months in an attempt to “inflame the public against police.” Waters confirmed that an administrative investigation is ongoing to determine whether JSO policy was violated. Officer Bowers has been stripped of his law enforcement duties pending the outcome.

Disputed Narrative: Knife Claim, Use of Force, and Public Perception

A knife was found on the driver’s side floorboard after the arrest. As a result, officers cited this as a key reason for the force used. However, the footage does not show McNeil reaching for it, and at the time of window breakage, McNeil’s hands were visible and raised, according to both cellphone and body camera footage.

Ben Crump: “This was a disturbing reminder of what Black Americans face when their basic rights are met with violence.”

McNeil’s attorneys say their client was afraid, not aggressive. Also, they claim that his calm demeanor in the video contradicts the department’s claims. His injuries included a chipped tooth, stitches to the lip, a concussion, and short-term memory loss, according to medical records cited by his legal team.

Background: JSO’s History of Excessive Force Allegations

This case is drawing comparisons to the 2023 beating of Le’Keian Woods, another high-profile instance involving JSO officers accused of using excessive force. NAACP leaders in Jacksonville are now demanding a full review of JSO’s use-of-force protocols, citing a “pattern of abuse.”

Jacksonville NAACP: “Mr. McNeil posed no threat. This is exactly the kind of policing our community fears.”

Civil rights advocates argue this is not an isolated case but part of a broader problem with how officers interact with Black citizens during routine stops.

Public Reaction: Social Media Divided

The video’s release has divided public opinion. Many on X (formerly Twitter) condemned the officers for what they called overreaction to a minor traffic violation, while others pointed to McNeil’s refusal to exit the vehicle as justification for force.

@_KiaFromDuval: “There’s no reason to punch someone through a window. He was sitting there with his hands up.”
@RedWhiteJSO: “He didn’t comply. That’s why they reacted. Simple.”

This split reflects broader national tensions over police authority, civil rights, and the role of compliance during traffic stops.

Bodycam vs. Cellphone Footage: A Clash of Perspectives

While the cellphone footage shows a relatively calm McNeil with his hands raised, the body cam footage reveals a layered situation in which officers repeatedly ask him to exit the vehicle. McNeil refuses, questions their authority, and locks the door.

Crucially, the footage does not show him reaching for the knife, though its presence on the floorboard is confirmed after his arrest. The footage also captures officers punching McNeil in the head before dragging him onto the pavement and arresting him.

Ben Crump and Harry Daniels argue that while McNeil’s refusal to exit the vehicle may have been non-compliant. However, they believe it did not warrant physical violence. “Non-compliance is not a death sentence, or in this case, a beating,” Crump said.

Legal Action Likely as Investigation Continues

Civil rights attorneys Ben Crump and Harry Daniels have signaled they plan to file a lawsuit against the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. Therefore, calling the incident “blatant brutality.” They demand the immediate termination of the officers involved and financial compensation for McNeil.

No charges have been filed against the officers as today’s press time. The administrative review remains open, and JSO has said it will share further updates once the internal process concludes.

Conclusion: Legal, But Was It Right?

While the officers involved may not face criminal charges, the moral and social questions remain. Footage shows William McNeil Jr. sitting calmly in his vehicle with his hands raised as a police officer shatters his window and punches him in the head.

For Sheriff Waters, the focus is on legality and public safety. For McNeil and his supporters, it’s about the pattern of violence and racially biased policing that continues to define too many interactions between Black Americans and law enforcement.

The story of William McNeil Jr. may not end in criminal court, but it will likely play out in civil litigation, public forums, and ongoing conversations about the future of policing in America.