Florida Deputy Caught on Video Punching Black Man During Traffic Stop

 

A viral video has sparked outrage after showing Florida deputies violently arresting a 22-year-old Black man named William McNeil Jr. during a traffic stop in Jacksonville. The incident took place in February, but the footage began circulating widely after McNeil posted it on social media this week. In the video, McNeil is seen sitting calmly in his car asking to speak with a supervisor and questioning why he was pulled over. Rather than responding to his request, a deputy suddenly smashes the driver's side window and punches him in the face. Another officer then yanks McNeil from the vehicle and throws him to the ground, while other deputies surround him.

The video has drawn condemnation from civil rights advocates and groups like Black Lives Matter. The group stated that the violent response highlights how police continue to dehumanize Black people. McNeil's attorneys, Ben Crump and Harry Daniels, said their client never acted aggressively or posed any threat to officers.

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Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters defended his department, urging the public not to rush to conclusions. He claimed officers had asked McNeil multiple times to exit the vehicle before force was used. However, Waters also confirmed that the officer who smashed the window and threw the punch, identified as D. Bowers, has been stripped of his law enforcement authority while investigations continue.

Following the incident, William McNeil Jr. was arrested and faced multiple charges, including resisting arrest, marijuana possession, driving with a suspended license, not wearing a seatbelt, and driving without headlights in poor weather. According to court records obtained by ABC News, McNeil was sentenced to two days in jail, which he has already served.

In the official police report, Deputy D. Bowers claimed McNeil was reaching toward an area where a knife was found, suggesting a possible threat. However, McNeil's legal team strongly denies that he was ever combative or posed a danger. They argue that the violent escalation by law enforcement was entirely unjustified and amounted to police brutality.

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Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, known for representing high-profile police brutality cases, and co-counsel Harry Daniels, emphasized that the video clearly shows an excessive use of force. They are demanding accountability and a full investigation into the deputies’ actions. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office stated that while internal and external reviews are still ongoing, the State Attorney’s Office has already concluded that no criminal laws were broken by the officers.

Nonetheless, the sheriff acknowledged the seriousness of the matter by temporarily removing Officer Bowers from duty. Civil rights groups say this step is not enough and are pushing for broader reform and disciplinary action.

The viral nature of the video has intensified public scrutiny and reignited conversations around police conduct, particularly in interactions with Black Americans. The incident adds to a growing list of controversial law enforcement encounters caught on camera, reinforcing calls for stronger oversight and accountability in police departments nationwide.

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