What started as a routine traffic stop in Jacksonville, Florida, quickly spiraled into a violent confrontation that left viewers across the country divided — and asking one question: Did the police go too far?
The incident began when William McNeil Jr. was pulled over by officers from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office for allegedly driving without his headlights on. But McNeil claims it was broad daylight, and that the stop itself was unjustified.
As officers approached his car, McNeil began recording on his phone. The footage — now viral — shows him calmly questioning the stop and repeatedly asking to speak with a supervisor. Seconds later, the situation escalated.
An officer suddenly smashed McNeil’s driver-side window, punched him in the face, and dragged him out of the vehicle as he screamed in confusion. The shocking video spread across social media within hours, reigniting national outrage over police use of force.
McNeil’s attorney called the incident a “gross abuse of power,” arguing that McNeil posed no threat and was exercising his legal right to request a supervisor.
“This wasn’t about safety — it was about control,” the lawyer said. “No one deserves to be assaulted over a headlight.”
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, however, defended the officers. They stated that McNeil refused multiple lawful commands to exit the vehicle and failed to provide his license and registration, which, under Florida law, can constitute resisting an officer.
Body camera footage released later added to the debate — showing officers ordering McNeil to comply but not clearly capturing the moment of the alleged punches.
The department announced an internal investigation, while the community demanded accountability and transparency.
Legal experts weighed in, noting that while officers do have authority to use force to enforce compliance, breaking a window and striking a nonviolent suspect raises serious constitutional questions.
As protests and social media debates continued, the video’s final caption asked the same question now echoing across the country:
“Do they have the right to do that?”