Viral Video Spurs Lawsuit Alleging Jacksonville Police Brutality Against Black Student

Jacksonville police are facing a federal lawsuit alleging civil rights violations after a video surfaced of officers violently arresting 22-year-old Black college student William McNeil. The February traffic stop—captured on viral cellphone footage—shows Officer D. Bowers punching and dragging McNeil from his car. Prosecutors later declined charges, saying Bowers’ actions “did not constitute a crime.” But McNeil’s attorneys, Ben Crump and Harry Daniels, argue the incident exposes “illegal or excessive use of force” that goes unchecked. “It’s an unjustifiable, unnecessary and most importantly unconstitutional use of force,” Crump said.

The suit names Bowers, another officer D. Miller, Sheriff T.K. Waters, the City of Jacksonville, and Duval County. Crump and Daniels accuse the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office of enabling racial profiling and creating an environment where brutality against Black residents carries no consequences. They’re also urging the Department of Justice to investigate what they describe as “systemic failures” and a pattern of “excessive force.” According to court filings, McNeil was stopped for not buckling his seatbelt or turning on headlights after Bowers saw his SUV near a house under drug surveillance. McNeil questioned the stop and requested a supervisor, but officers escalated, issuing a dozen commands before dragging him out.

Sheriff Waters, who is Black, suggested the video lacks context and said McNeil was repeatedly asked to exit the vehicle. Crump countered that McNeil remained calm while officers—trained to de-escalate—chose violence, comparing it to historic attacks on Black Americans asserting their rights during the Civil Rights era. “This harkens back to a time when Black people were beaten simply for demanding dignity,” he said.

McNeil suffered a fractured tooth, facial lacerations, and an “ongoing traumatic brain injury,” and now experiences PTSD-like symptoms such as nightmares and flashbacks. His case has sparked national outrage and renewed calls to challenge police culture in Jacksonville. Critics say the prosecutors’ decision not to charge Bowers demonstrates how police violence is often excused under the guise of “lawful commands.” By filing the lawsuit, McNeil’s legal team aims to hold the city accountable and demand sweeping changes in policing practices that disproportionately harm Black communities.

Link: CNN