Jacksonville, United States - February 19, 2025 Authorities are investigating a viral video showing police officers forcibly arresting William McNeil Jr. during a traffic stop in February. The video, released on July 20 by McNeil’s attorneys Ben Crump and Harry Daniels, shows an officer breaking the driver’s side window and hitting McNeil in the face. In the two-minute footage, McNeil questions why he was stopped for not having headlights on during daylight. The officer orders him twice to exit the vehicle before striking him. McNeil shows his hands and stays seated as officers open the door, unbuckle his seatbelt, and pull him out while he repeatedly asks, “What is your reason?” The arrest report states officers stopped McNeil for driving without headlights or taillights during bad weather and not wearing a seatbelt. It says McNeil became verbally combative, refused to exit or provide ID, locked the door, and ignored several warnings before the window was broken. The report notes marijuana and a large knife were found in the vehicle, and McNeil allegedly reached for the knife as he was pulled out. McNeil’s tooth was chipped during the arrest, with blood observed on his mouth. McNeil was found guilty of resisting an officer without violence and driving with a suspended license. Charges for drug possession, not wearing a seatbelt, and driving without headlights were dismissed. Attorney Harry Daniels said McNeil was suspicious and afraid during the encounter, choosing to record it because of the history of police interactions with young African American men.