William McNeil Jr is a Jacksonville native who recently went viral following a video of him getting assaulted by two Jacksonville police officers, find out more below
The shocking video of the violent traffic stop went viral, sparking all kinds of outrage and renewed criticism of police conduct.
Who is William McNeil Jr as video of him being assaulted by Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) police officers during traffic stop goes viral on Twitter/X
On Feb. 19, Will McNeil Jr. was pulled over in Jacksonville, FL, reportedly for driving without headlights. A viral video shows officers breaking his window and striking him. He says he suffered a concussion, 9+ stitches, and memory loss. pic.twitter.com/cGgYXouBeA
— Hues & Culture (@HuesAndCulture) July 21, 2025
Following the incident, prominent civil rights attorneys Ben Crump and Harry Daniels have reportedly agreed to represent him.
Viral video of William McNeil Jr. getting assaulted
Just recently, a disturbing video of a Jacksonville man named William McNeil Jr. getting assaulted went viral on social media. William himself uploaded the video, and it starts off with Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) officers approaching his SUV during a routine traffic stop involving his headlights. As the men get involved in a confrontation, the situation soon escalates after McNeil requests to see a supervisor and refuses to exit his vehicle.
In response, one of the officers broke the driver’s side window and struck McNeil in the face before pulling him from the vehicle. Multiple officers then forced him to the ground while shouting all kinds of commands, with the footage showing one more punch.
Donvict Trump set this in motions these folks feel more emboldened than ever to brutalize our people. Will mcneil jr was complying and calm while being assaulted for a TRAFFIC STOP. A FEW DAYS after the anniversary of Philando Castile's murder FOR A TRAFFIC STOP. #blm #trump pic.twitter.com/nLGCr67TRD
— JAYT🇱🇷 (@JaytMusiq) July 21, 2025
Official police statements
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has since responded to the video and launched an internal investigation while stating:
We are aware of a video circulating on social media showing a traffic stop represented to be from February 19, 2025. We hold our officers to the highest standards and are committed to thoroughly determining exactly what occurred.”
Meanwhile, the arresting officer claimed that McNeil refused to comply before shutting and locking his door and ignoring repeated commands to produce identification. He wrote in his report:
I gave the suspect several warnings that I was going to break the window and remove him from the vehicle if he did not comply with lawful commands.”
William McNeil Jr. speaks out
While speaking about the incident through his attorneys and in interviews, McNeil stated:
Suffered a chipped tooth. Split lip. And went through my lip as I went to the concrete… [I] also had a concussion and suffer from short-term memory loss now.”
He added:
I’m just trying to have a regular conversation with y’all.”
Attorney Ben Crump, who is now representing McNeil, stated:
It should be obvious to anyone watching this video that William McNeil wasn’t a threat to anyone. He was calmly exercising his constitutional rights, and they beat him for it.”
William McNeil Jr. biography
William McNeil Jr. is a 22-year-old Black man from Jacksonville, Florida, who was recently assaulted violently during a traffic stop on 19 February, 2025. McNeil gained national attention following the release of a viral video that showed him being beaten by Jacksonville police officers during a traffic stop.
In the video, McNeil asks the officers while they pulled him over and they answer saying it was because he didn’t have his headlights on and when McNeil responded that it was daylight and it wasn’t raining, the officer said it didn’t matter with him required to turn them on due to cloudy weather.
As of now, there is currently not much information available about William McNeil Jr., but he reportedly has no prior history of violent behavior. McNeil is now focused on recovering physically and emotionally from the assault while seeking justice through legal means.
McNeil was arrested that day and later pleaded guilty to driving with a suspended license and resisting an officer and was also charged with marijuana possession, not having headlights on, and not wearing a seatbelt.
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