JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan called a viral video showing an officer punching a driver during a traffic stop “disturbing” and stressed the need for due process to unfold.
The incident, which occurred in February but gained widespread attention recently, captured an officer smashing the driver’s side window of a car and striking the driver, identified as William McNeil Jr., before dragging him out.
“I understand the angst,” Deegan stated, acknowledging public frustration. “I understand the upset. I get all of that. But at the end of the day, let’s wait and see where it all goes. Hopefully, there’s a good resolution.”
Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan, right, acknowledged public frustration regarding a video involving police and William McNeil Jr., left. She emphasized her pragmatic approach.
The circulated footage starts with McNeil discussing the reason for the stop with an officer, stating he was told his headlights were off in what appeared to be bad weather. Bodycam footage released by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office shows McNeil refusing to provide his license, registration, and proof of insurance.
McNeil remained in the vehicle. Officers reported finding a large, unsheathed serrated knife on the floorboard of his car. The incident occurred on Feb. 19, 2025.
William McNeil Jr., 22, is seen being struck by law enforcement during an arrest by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office on Feb. 19, 2025.
Deegan addressed concerns about her perceived lack of strong outrage.
“I am a very pragmatic thinker when it comes to how these things go, and it’s not to diminish whatever happened there,” Deegan explained. “I have faith that that process will be carried out and we’ll see where it goes. But I can’t really say much beyond that because there is a lawsuit that may happen.”
She reminded the public that Jacksonville operates with a consolidated government, meaning her role as mayor and Sheriff T.K. Waters’ role as sheriff are independent.
“It is my job to run the city. It is his job to run the police department,” she said.
Sheriff T.K. Waters stated this knife was found in McNeil’s vehicle during the Feb. 19, 2025, traffic stop.
Deegan acknowledged Sheriff Waters for releasing the bodycam footage, calling his efforts at transparency valuable, while maintaining a neutral stance on the event itself.
“He shows the video. He shows the bodycam videos. However you feel about this, I think that the sheriff has come out and tried to be as transparent as he can with the process,” Deegan said. “I think that I would just ask people to be a little patient.”
Waters announced on Monday that his agency initiated both criminal and administrative reviews of the officers’ conduct. He noted that the state attorney’s office concluded no criminal laws were violated by the officers involved, though administrative reviews are ongoing.
Attorneys Ben Crump and Harry Daniels are now representing McNeil. They cited a racial element in the incident, pointing out that McNeil is Black and the officers are white. The attorneys stated that McNeil was calm and compliant, yet faced violence instead of answers.
“What happened to William McNeil Jr. is a disturbing reminder that even the most basic rights — like asking why you’ve been pulled over — can be met with violence for Black Americans,” their statement read. “William was calm and compliant. Yet instead of answers, he got his window smashed and was punched in the face, all over a questionable claim about headlights in broad daylight.”
They added, “This wasn’t law enforcement, it was brutality. All video from JSO should be released to ensure there is transparency for McNeil and the community. We demand full accountability from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and justice for William McNeil Jr.”
Bodycam footage released by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office shows McNeil appearing to refuse multiple requests to exit his vehicle on Feb. 19, 2025.
