Police in Jacksonville, Florida are investigating a “viral” video in which an officer is seen punching a male driver in the face during a traffic stop. 

Footage that began circulating on social media over the weekend showed William McNeil Jr. staring at the camera on Feb. 19 as an officer is seen smashing his driver’s side window and demanding that he “exit the vehicle now!” The officer then strikes McNeil in the face before he is dragged out of the car and taken into custody. 

“At my direction, the agency immediately began both a criminal and administrative review of the officers’ actions. These administrative reviews are ongoing, but the state attorney’s office has determined that none of the involved officers violated criminal law,” Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters said Monday while releasing a longer bodycam video of the incident.  

“I want to be clear about something. Yes, there absolutely was force used by the arresting officers. And yes, that force is ugly. But as I’ve said many times before, the reality is that all force, all violence is ugly, and just because force is ugly does not mean it’s unlawful or contrary to policy,” he added. 

In bodycam footage released by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, McNeil appeared to ignore multiple requests from an officer to step out of his vehicle on Feb. 19, 2025. (Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office)

In the bodycam footage released by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, McNeil is seen refusing to hand over his license, registration and proof of insurance to Officer Bowers. 

“No. Call your supervisor,” he says, before refusing a command to step out of the vehicle. 

“Sir this is your last warning to open the vehicle and exit before we are going to break the window,” Bowers tells him. “Open the door and exit, you are under arrest for resisting.” 

McNeil remains in the vehicle and the window was eventually smashed. 

Attorneys Ben Crump and Harry Daniels announced they are now representing McNeil after the video sparked “outrage across the country.” 

“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. 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 said in a statement.