William McNeil Jr: Jacksonville Police Brutally Arrest and PUNCH Black Man During Traffic Stop, Caught on Video

Florida police brutality is once again under the spotlight after a viral video surfaced showing Jacksonville Sheriff’s Deputies violently arresting 22-year-old William McNeil Jr. during a questionable traffic stop. The disturbing footage, now spreading across social media, has sparked outrage and renewed calls for police accountability in the Black community

📍 What Happened to William McNeil Jr?

The incident occurred on February 19, 2025, in Jacksonville, Florida. According to a report from First Coast News, McNeil was allegedly pulled over for not having his headlights on during what deputies described as “inclement weather.” However, the video clearly shows sunny skies and no sign of rain, casting doubt on the officers’ justification for the stop.

Police also claimed McNeil wasn’t wearing a seatbelt. Yet, in the video, one of the deputies is visibly seen removing McNeil’s seatbelt before dragging him out of the vehicle—further questioning the accuracy of their police report.

📹 The Viral Video of the Arrest

In the video, McNeil raises both empty hands in compliance when instructed by deputies. Despite his cooperation, he is aggressively pulled from his vehicle, slammed to the ground, and injured. Officers later claimed McNeil was “verbally combative” and reached for a “large knife” on the floorboard of the car—neither of which is evident in the footage.

McNeil shared the video to his Instagram page (@904will) and provided a heart-wrenching caption:

“Feb 19th I was pulled over at 4pm for my headlights being off—no rain, smoke, or fog… A chipped tooth and 9+ stitches in my lips (my tooth went through my lip) were the result of them slamming me on the ground when I was trying to put my hands behind my back. I also suffered a concussion and short-term memory loss. I’m not mentally healed, but I had to get the word out eventually.”

🕵️‍♂️ Police Say an Internal Investigation Is Underway

According to The U.S. Sun, Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters issued a public statement:

“We have launched an internal investigation into it and the circumstances surrounding this incident. We hold our officers to the highest standards and are committed to thoroughly determining exactly what occurred.”

While the statement sounds good on paper, local activists and community members remain skeptical. Internal investigations often result in minimal consequences unless the public demands action.

🔍 Why This Matters

This case is yet another example of what critics describe as police misconduct in Florida, especially in Black communities. It also highlights the power of cell phone video evidence, social media, and direct-to-platform storytelling in holding law enforcement accountable.