A police bodycam footage captured what transpired between a black male driver and a white police officer that resulted in the driver being punched and physically assaulted in Jacksonville, Florida.
It happened on February 19, when 22-year-old William McNeil Jr was pulled over by a cop from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s department because his headlamps were not on while he was driving.
The driver, who had his door open in order to speak with the officer because his window would not roll down, argued that it was daytime, and it was not raining, and also, other cars were moving about without their headlamps on.
The officer, while also noting that his seat belt was not on, said that the inclement weather necessitated his car lights being on.
The police officer then requested for William’s driver’s license and car papers, which he declined and instead asked for the officer’s supervisor.
While William further demanded to know why he was pulled over and asked for his supervisor, the officer called for backup and described the driver as “uncooperative”.
He then requested the driver to get down from the vehicle. William refused and locked the door. The two had a brief dialogue before the officer told him he was now under arrest for resisting, and ordered him to open the door and exit the vehicle, or the window would be broken.
The officer warned him severally times to comply before he got clearance over the radio to break the car window. By then, his backup had already arrived.
William McNeil Jr had already set up his phone camera and was recording what was happening, and it showed the officer breaking his window and throwing a straight blow at his chin. The driver remained calm throughout the ordeal and showed his hands immediately when he was requested to do so during the assault.
After he was pulled out of the car, the same officer threw another punch at his face before others brought him to the ground.
The officer accused of battery did not write that in his report. A colleague at the scene noted that he was punched 6 times on his legs.
The now viral video sparked outrage on social media about police brutality, especially against blacks. The backlash prompted the Jacksonville Sheriff to announce on Monday that the incident is under investigation, though the State Attorney’s Office said the officer acted rightfully.
Watch the full police bodycam footage below:
William McNeil’s attorney, Ben Crump, who also champions civil rights, lamented that the incident was only one of the fears of driving as a black person in the US. He also praised the driver for his calm composure during the officer’s use of undue force in what he referred to as racially motivated.
William McNeil Jr was charged with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, driving with a suspended license, and resisting an arrest. He pleaded guilty to the last 2.
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