Traffic Stop That Sparked National Outrage
*On February 19, 2025, 22-year-old college student William McNeil Jr. was pulled over in Jacksonville, Florida. Officer D. Bowers of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office stopped McNeil for alleged traffic violations, including driving without headlights during bad weather and not wearing a seatbelt. The stop occurred near a house already under police surveillance for drug activity.
Body camera and viral cellphone footage showed McNeil questioning the stop and refusing to exit his SUV. After several minutes, Officer Bowers smashed the driver’s window, struck McNeil in the face, and forcibly pulled him from the vehicle. Additional officers joined in, punching and dragging McNeil to the ground before restraining him. The incident, which left McNeil with a concussion and chipped tooth, sparked widespread outrage after the video surfaced in July 2025.
Drugs, Knife, and Arrest Charges
Police later reported finding a knife on the vehicle’s floorboard, marijuana in McNeil’s pocket, and drug paraphernalia in the center console. McNeil was arrested and charged with resisting arrest, marijuana possession, driving on a suspended license, and traffic violations. He later pleaded guilty to resisting arrest and driving with a suspended license, serving two days in jail. Other charges were dismissed, NewsOne is reporting.
Despite the criminal charges, supporters argued the level of force used during the stop far outweighed the alleged offenses. Critics say the discovery of a knife after the fact does not justify the initial violence caught on video.
Prosecutors Clear Florida Officer of Criminal Charges
The State Attorney’s Office for the Fourth Judicial Circuit released a memo on August 14, 2025, clearing Officer Bowers of wrongdoing. Prosecutors said the officer gave McNeil 12 lawful commands, which he disobeyed. They described the initial punch as a “distractionary blow” intended to gain control of the situation…