A video showing the violent arrest of 22-year-old African-American William Anthony McNeil Jr. has gone viral, sparking outrage across the internet.
The incident occurred on February 19, 2025, during a traffic stop in Jacksonville County, Florida.
Bodycam footage released by Sheriff T.K. Waters showed police officers punching and beating McNeil, who appeared not to be resisting arrest.
According to ABC News, McNeil had been pulled over for allegedly driving without his headlights on and not wearing a seatbelt. When questioned, he argued that it was neither raining, snowing, nor foggy, and therefore believed headlights were not required.
He also asked to speak to a supervisor.
Footage shows that shortly after making the request, an officer broke McNeil’s car window and punched him.
Officers then pulled him from the vehicle, struck him again, and forced him to the ground as several deputies restrained him.
Sheriff Waters confirmed that the officer who broke the window and punched McNeil was identified as Officer D. Bowers. “Pending the outcome of this administrative review, Officer Bowers has been stripped of his law enforcement authority,” Waters stated.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) is conducting an internal administrative review to determine whether the officers violated JSO policy. However, the State Attorney’s Office reportedly found no criminal violations by the deputies involved.
Speaking to ABC News, McNeil’s attorney Harry Daniels said legal action was being prepared against the officers for causing both physical and mental harm to his client.
Court records indicate that McNeil faces several charges, including resisting arrest without violence, possession of marijuana, driving without headlights, failure to wear a seatbelt, and driving with a suspended license.
Sheriff Waters emphasized that resisting an officer performing lawful duties is illegal, but said he would neither defend nor condemn Officer Bowers’ conduct until investigations are concluded.