A traffic stop in Jacksonville, Florida, turned violent when officers punched a driver and smashed his car window, footage released by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office shows. The incident involving William McNeil occurred in February and has since drawn public attention.
Body camera and video footage captured McNeil arguing with deputies about being pulled over for not using his headlights in the rain. During the encounter, McNeil locked himself inside his car and demanded to speak with a supervisor. The situation escalated when deputies broke the car window with their fists and pulled McNeil out.
McNeil recorded part of the incident himself, showing him receiving punches to the face. His mug shot reveals a busted lip following the arrest.
The arrest report states McNeil faced charges including possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and resisting an officer without violence. Sheriff T.K. Waters confirmed that McNeil pleaded guilty to resisting an officer without violence and driving on a suspended license.
Sheriff Waters said prosecutors found no criminal violations by the officers, but an administrative review is ongoing to check for any policy breaches. Deputy Bowers, identified as the officer who broke the window and punched McNeil, has been stripped of his law enforcement authority pending investigation.
McNeil’s attorney, Harry Daniels, criticized the handling of the case, saying, “He simply asks for a supervisor and then they break his window and beat him, yet the report fails to mention that.”
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