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Video Shows Florida Deputies Punching and Dragging a Black Man From His Car

July 24, 2025

A Black man named William McNeil Jr. was forcibly removed from his car during a traffic stop in Florida, an incident captured on both body cameras and a cellphone video that has sparked nationwide controversy. The cellphone footage shows deputies punching McNeil and dragging him from his vehicle after he asked to speak to a supervisor, while body camera footage reveals he had been repeatedly asked to exit the vehicle before force was used.

Who is affected

  • William McNeil Jr., the 22-year-old Black man who was punched and dragged from his vehicle
  • Jacksonville Sheriff's deputies involved in the traffic stop and subsequent arrest
  • The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, particularly Sheriff T.K. Waters, now handling public scrutiny
  • Civil rights attorneys Ben Crump and Harry Daniels who are representing McNeil
  • Black Americans more broadly, as framed by McNeil's lawyers who called this a "disturbing reminder" of how basic rights can be met with violence

What action is being taken

  • An "administrative review" is currently ongoing to determine whether officers violated any department policies
  • The State Attorney's Office has already completed an investigation determining no officers violated criminal laws
  • Civil rights attorneys Ben Crump and Harry Daniels are publicly challenging the officers' account of events
  • Sheriff T.K. Waters is defending his department by providing additional context beyond the viral video
  • The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is investigating the incident after becoming aware of the circulating cellphone video

Why it matters

  • The incident highlights tensions between police and Black communities regarding use of force during routine interactions
  • There are conflicting accounts between police reports and video evidence, raising questions about accountability and transparency
  • The case has gained national attention through viral video, increasing scrutiny of police practices
  • It represents what McNeil's lawyers describe as a pattern of Black Americans facing violence when exercising basic rights
  • The disparity between written police reports and video evidence raises concerns about accurate documentation of use-of-force incidents

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint