Police release mugshot of man in viral Jacksonville traffic stop arrest video
Share this @internewscast.com

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office alleges William McNeil Jr., 22, was reaching for a knife during the traffic stop before officers used force.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office in Florida has shared an image of a knife that they claim was found in a man’s vehicle during a contentious traffic stop that took place in February. Along with the image, they provided a report explaining the use of physical force by the officers during the incident.

On February 19, 22-year-old William McNeil Jr. was stopped on West Palm Avenue in Jacksonville for driving without headlights and not wearing a seatbelt. The police report states that he was arrested and charged with non-violent resistance to an officer, driving with a suspended license, and drug-related offenses.


Five months after the event, McNeil released a video of the encounter with officers, which has since attracted national attention. The footage shows an officer breaking McNeil’s car window and striking him in the face.

First Coast News obtained McNeil’s arrest report. It states that upon being pulled over, McNeil “immediately became verbally combative,” and that he refused to comply with officers and would not get out of the car. It also states McNeil “was reaching for the floorboard of the vehicle where a large knife was sitting.”

In a statement to First Coast News, McNeil’s attorney said, “the narrative in this report isn’t just suspicious. It is completely divorced from reality.”

Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters released three bodycam videos from three different officers who were on scene, along with a picture of a knife that was found. McNeil could not be seen in any of the videos reaching for the knife. Waters was asked about this during a press conference Monday. He said he did not see McNeil’s hands and did not want to make assumptions.

“I don’t see where his hands are,” Waters said. “I can’t assume, Jake. No one can assume. I operate and we operate off facts and facts alone. I can’t make assumptions. All I can go by when I read those things is what’s stated in the report. I’m not saying whether it’s true or whether it’s not, I’m saying no one sees his hands at that point. He says, ‘Put your hands up,’ then his hands come up. But after the strike to the face, like I said again, I’m not trying this case in front of the public. I’m trying to give the public the information in context of what happened. No one saw his hands at that point. Don’t know what happened from there, but that’s part of the investigative process.”


The sheriff’s office has also released a “Response-to-Resistance” report, explaining why the officers used physical force on McNeil during his arrest from their perspectives.

Officer D.J. Bowers said in the report that he used force to protect himself, protect other officers and to “overcome resistance.”

Officer D.D. Miller said in the report that he used force to protect other officers and to “overcome resistance.”

Waters said the officers were cleared of criminal wrongdoing by the State Attorney’s Office. The incident is now under administrative review by the sheriff’s office.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Through the roof: How much does it cost to live in Glynn County?

Skyrocketing Prices: What Are the Living Expenses in Glynn County?

The median home price in some areas has doubled in the last…
Italy’s Meloni says Gaza flotilla risks escalation, could ‘blow up' potential ceasefire deal

Italy’s Meloni Warns Gaza Flotilla Could Endanger Ceasefire Negotiations

The Gaza-bound flotilla involving anti-Israel activists and celebrities, including Greta Thunberg, has…
Marion County man charged with creating CSAM using AI

Marion County Resident Accused of Producing CSAM with Artificial Intelligence

Police say that Lucius Martin was arrested during a traffic stop, where…
Man in wheelchair killed in crash on Jacksonville's Southside, JSO says

Fatal Accident Involving Wheelchair-Bound Man on Jacksonville’s Southside, According to JSO

A man in a wheelchair was killed in a traffic crash on…
Napheesa Collier torches WNBA leadership in exit interview

Napheesa Collier Criticizes WNBA Leadership in Candid Exit Interview

Collier, known for her candidness in championing players’ causes, criticized the current…
18-year-old charged with murder in Jacksonville shooting

Jacksonville Shooting: 18-Year-Old Faces Murder Charges

JSO charges 18-year-old Andre Thomas with murder for the shooting death of…
Retired mom among 3 killed in ‘premeditated’ North Carolina waterfront restaurant massacre

Tragic Waterfront Restaurant Attack in North Carolina: Retired Mom Among 3 Victims

One of the three people who lost their lives in the Saturday…
Government shutdown update: Federal government shutdown begins as nation faces new period of uncertainty

Government Shutdown Begins, Ushering in New Era of Uncertainty

WASHINGTON — With no deal in sight to extend funding, the U.S.…
Skeletal remains found near NYC strip mall believed to be nurse who disappeared 4 years ago

Skeletal Remains Discovered Near NYC Strip Mall Likely Those of Nurse Missing for Four Years

Late Monday afternoon, a partial set of skeletal remains was discovered in…
Oklahoma Gov. Stitt, ICE bust 120 illegal immigrants in highway crackdown, slams Biden border failures

Governor Stitt and ICE Collaborate to Detain 120 Undocumented Immigrants in Highway Operation; Criticize Biden’s Border Policies

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol, working with ICE agents, arrested 120 illegal immigrants…
Trump gives Hamas 'three to four days' to accept plan or meet a 'a very sad end'

Trump Warns Hamas: You Have ‘Three to Four Days’ to Agree to Plan or Face Consequences

On Tuesday, President Donald Trump gave the Hamas terrorist organization a deadline…
Criminal gangs recruiting teenage girls as assassins and bombers, officials warn

Officials Warn: Teenage Girls Being Recruited by Criminal Gangs as Assassins and Bombers

Sweden is currently facing a unique type of gang violence where teenage…