Jacksonville Traffic Stop: A Viral Incident

By Darius Spearman (africanelements)

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The Controversial Traffic Stop

On February 19, 2025, William McNeil Jr., a 22-year-old Black man, was pulled over by officers from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO). The stated reason for the stop was an alleged headlight violation (firstcoastnews.com). This occurred despite it being daytime and not raining (nbcnews.com). McNeil questioned the stop, pointing out that the weather conditions did not necessitate headlights (firstcoastnews.com). An officer, whose voice was heard but who was not seen in the video, insisted that headlights were still required, regardless of the conditions (firstcoastnews.com).

The situation quickly escalated. Officers asked McNeil to exit his vehicle. When McNeil requested to speak with a supervisor, an officer shattered his driver’s side window (firstcoastnews.com). The viral video shows an officer then punching McNeil in the face (nbcnews.com). Body camera footage released by JSO revealed that Officer Bowers stated, “I’m about to break the window,” and Officer Miller responded, “Go for it,” just before the window was broken (news4jax.com). Interestingly, the body camera footage does not show the moments where Officer Bowers struck McNeil Jr. in the face, which are clearly visible in the viral cell phone video (news4jax.com).

Conflicting Accounts and Dropped Charges

The JSO incident report presented a conflicting narrative regarding McNeil’s actions. It claimed McNeil was “reaching for the floorboard of the [car] where a large knife was sitting” as officers removed him (firstcoastnews.com). However, the body camera video released by JSO does not show McNeil reaching for a knife (firstcoastnews.com). Sheriff T.K. Waters addressed this discrepancy, stating that no one saw McNeil’s hands at that point, and the incident remains under administrative review (firstcoastnews.com). McNeil’s attorney has publicly called the narrative in the police report “suspicious” (firstcoastnews.com).

Despite the initial claims by officers, the traffic violations that led to the stop were later dropped, according to court records (firstcoastnews.com). The police report had initially stated McNeil was pulled over for not having his headlights on in inclement weather and for not wearing his seatbelt (firstcoastnews.com). The dismissal of these charges further raises questions about the legitimacy of the initial stop and the subsequent actions taken by the officers.

Legal Representation and Official Response

In response to the incident, William McNeil Jr. has retained nationally recognized civil rights attorneys Ben Crump and Harry Daniels to represent him (firstcoastnews.com). These attorneys are known for their involvement in high-profile cases concerning police misconduct and civil rights. Ben Crump stated on social media that the JSO police report claimed McNeil was verbally combative and reached for a knife. However, Crump noted that the video shows McNeil remaining calm and displaying his hands, and the report does not mention him being punched (thegrio.com).

Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters held a media briefing where he released body camera footage from the officers involved (firstcoastnews.com). Sheriff Waters announced that the State Attorney’s Office found the officers’ actions did not violate criminal law (news4jax.com). However, he also stated that Officer Bowers, the officer seen breaking the window and punching McNeil, has been “stripped of his law enforcement authority” (news4jax.com). The Sheriff emphasized his commitment to transparency, stating, “I have vowed to be open and transparent with the public that we serve, whether this information shared reflects well on this agency or not” (news4jax.com). The incident is currently under administrative review (firstcoastnews.com).

The Escalation of Force

The sequence of events leading to the use of force against William McNeil Jr. highlights a rapid escalation. After McNeil questioned the stop and requested a supervisor, an officer asked him to step out of the car (firstcoastnews.com). When McNeil did not immediately comply, the situation turned violent. The officer who broke McNeil’s window did not appear to give any verbal warnings or commands to McNeil before shattering the glass (firstcoastnews.com). Instead, the officer communicated his intent to break the window to other officers, and an off-camera officer encouraged him to “go for it” (firstcoastnews.com). This action was followed by the officer punching McNeil (firstcoastnews.com).

The Sheriff emphasized that resisting a police officer performing lawful duties is not allowed (firstcoastnews.com). However, a reporter questioned the appropriateness of the officer punching McNeil after the window had already been broken (firstcoastnews.com). This incident highlights the critical need for clear guidelines and accountability regarding the use of force, especially when initial traffic violations are later dismissed. The actions taken by the officers, particularly the decision to break the window and then use physical force, raise serious concerns about de-escalation tactics and the appropriate application of force in such encounters.

Community Concerns and Future Implications

The viral video of this incident has sparked significant backlash online and within the community (firstcoastnews.com). The involvement of high-profile civil rights attorneys like Ben Crump and Harry Daniels signals the potential for a broader legal and social impact. Their representation often brings national attention to cases of alleged police misconduct, pushing for systemic changes and accountability. The NAACP has also voiced concerns, highlighting the fear experienced by African American men during traffic stops. This incident, like many others, underscores the ongoing tension between law enforcement and the Black community, particularly concerning traffic stops and the use of force.

The internal investigation launched by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is a crucial step, but its scope, timeline, and potential outcomes remain to be seen. While one officer has been “stripped of his duties,” the exact meaning of this disciplinary action-whether it implies suspension, reassignment, or other measures-has not been fully clarified. The lack of statistical data on similar incidents in Jacksonville or broader trends in police brutality leaves a gap in understanding the full context of this event. However, the public nature of this incident, amplified by social media and the involvement of prominent legal figures, ensures that it will continue to be a focal point for discussions on police accountability and civil rights.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darius Spearman has been a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.