A Black man in a viral video of getting punched through his car window and arrested by Jacksonville officers speaks out for the first time
22-Year-Old Black Man Speaks Out After Jacksonville Police Officers Cleared in Forceful Arrest Case
Summary
William McNeil Jr., a 22-year-old Black man, spoke publicly for the first time at a news conference after learning that the Jacksonville police officers involved in his February arrest will not face criminal charges.
In February, McNeil was pulled over for an alleged headlight violation. He refused to provide his driver’s license and registration, stating that he wanted an explanation from a supervisor as to why he was being stopped for a headlight issue during broad daylight and clear weather conditions. McNeil then locked himself inside his vehicle.
After multiple warnings, Officer Bowen broke McNeil’s car window. Body camera footage and video recorded on McNeil’s phone show officers forcibly removing him from the vehicle and arresting him. McNeil sustained multiple injuries during the arrest.
What We Know
McNeil and his loved ones described the arrest as highly traumatic. McNeil stated, “That day, I really just wanted to know why I was getting pulled over and why I needed to step out of the car. I didn’t do anything wrong. I was really just scared.”
His civil attorneys, Ben Crump and Harry Daniels, said the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office never contacted McNeil following the incident and that the officer’s written report does not align with video footage captured on McNeil’s phone.
As a result of the arrest, McNeil suffered a concussion and a fractured tooth that required nine stitches. He continues to experience cognitive decline.
McNeil and his family expressed deep disappointment with the decision not to pursue criminal charges and stated they are seeking justice, though it remains unclear whether a civil lawsuit will be filed.
The Backstory
In February, Officer Bowen initiated a traffic stop after alleging McNeil was driving without his headlights on. Bowen requested McNeil’s driver’s license and registration.
McNeil said he was confused by the stop, given that it was daytime with no rain, and requested to speak with a supervisor. He then locked himself inside the vehicle. Body camera footage shows a verbal exchange between McNeil and the officer.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office stated that Officer Bowen ordered McNeil to exit the vehicle seven times before breaking the window. Cell phone footage captured the subsequent moments that sparked widespread media outrage.
Officer Bowen broke the driver’s side window and struck McNeil in the face. He and other responding officers pulled McNeil from the vehicle, forced him to the ground, and arrested him.
McNeil later pleaded guilty to resisting arrest without violence and driving with a suspended license.
The Other Side
Following public attention, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office conducted an internal administrative review and concluded that the officers’ actions did not violate department policy.
At a press conference, Sheriff T.K. Waters addressed the arrest, stating:
“Yes, there was force that was absolutely used by the arresting officers, and yes, that force is ugly. The reality is that all force, all violence, is ugly. Just because force is ugly does not mean it’s unlawful or contrary to policy.”
The review concluded that McNeil was noncompliant 21 seconds into the encounter. Officers also reported finding a knife in the passenger seat and marijuana in McNeil’s pocket.
Sheriff Waters noted that McNeil did not file a formal complaint with the department and stated that an investigation could have occurred sooner had one been filed.
Dig Deeper
William McNeil Jr. is a biology student at Livingston College. He volunteers on weekends and participates in a marching band. He has no prior criminal record or arrest history.
Sources
- News conference held by Attorney Ben Crump
- Press conference held by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office
