William McNeil Jr. Lawsuit Update: New Body Cam Footage Released, What It Says About Alleged Excessive Force Case

Newly released body-worn camera footage from Florida police has shed further light on the controversial arrest of 22-year-old William McNeil Jr. during a traffic stop in Jacksonville earlier this year.

The video, released by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, provides additional context to widely shared dash-cam footage posted on social media and has become a focal point in a growing civil rights lawsuit.

The arrest took place in February and quickly attracted national attention after McNeil posted mobile phone footage to TikTok and Instagram. In it, an officer is seen breaking the window of his car and striking him, as McNeil repeatedly questions the reason for his detention. The new body-camera video appears to confirm that force was used, although it does not capture the alleged moment when McNeil was punched.

Contradictory Accounts from Police and Legal Team

According to the sheriff's office, McNeil initially cooperated but then locked the vehicle and refused repeated commands to step out. Sheriff T.K. Waters stated the officer acted on a perceived threat, claiming McNeil had reached toward a large knife on the floor, AP News reported. That claim, however, is not substantiated by the footage.

McNeil's legal team, including prominent civil rights attorneys Ben Crump and Harry Daniels, dispute the knife allegation. They argue the report was 'fabricated' and point to the absence of any visible weapon in the video as evidence of inconsistencies in the officer's account, according to USNews. Sheriff Waters has acknowledged the footage does not clearly verify the knife's presence.

Medical and Legal Fallout

McNeil was treated for injuries following the arrest, including a chipped tooth, stitches and a concussion. He has also reported short-term memory loss. He later pleaded guilty to non-violent resisting arrest and driving with a suspended licence, CBS News reported. Drug-related charges were dropped.

His legal team is now preparing a civil lawsuit, alleging excessive force and racial bias. They say in a statement that the incident is consistent with broader patterns of discriminatory policing in Jacksonville and have called for greater transparency and disciplinary action.

No Criminal Charges Filed

The State Attorney's Office has confirmed that no criminal charges will be filed against the officers involved. However, Officer Donald Bowers, who played a central role in the incident, has been removed from front-line duties pending an internal affairs investigation, according to People.

Sheriff Waters has urged the public to withhold judgment until a full review is complete. He said the release of body-worn footage is intended to provide transparency, even 'so much context and depth are absent from recorded footage', The Washington Post reported.

The incident has provoked national outrage, with civil rights groups condemning the use of force as excessive and racially biased. William McNeil Jr. has since described experiencing post-traumatic stress, saying he 'feared for [his] life' during the stop, he told ABC News. The scrutiny has intensified calls for accountability and policy reform within the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.

The arrest of William McNeil Jr. has ignited national outrage and renewed scrutiny of policing practices in Jacksonville. The bodycam footage raises questions about officers' use of force and conflicting accounts. While no charges were filed against police, McNeil's civil rights lawsuit underscores ongoing concerns about racial bias, transparency, and accountability in law enforcement.