The mayor of Jacksonville, Donna Deegan, has described a viral video showing an officer punching a male driver during a traffic stop as disturbing, calling for due process to run its course. In a statement to local news outlet News4Jax, Deegan acknowledged the public’s frustration, emphasizing the need to wait for the investigative process to unfold. She stated, ‘I understand the angst, the upset, but at the end of the day, let’s wait and see where it all goes. Hopefully, there’s a good resolution.’
The incident, which occurred in February but gained national attention recently, involves William McNeil Jr., a Black man who was arrested after refusing to comply with an officer’s demand to exit his vehicle during a traffic stop. The video, which first circulated on social media last week, shows the officer smashing the driver’s side window and punching Mc, dragging him out of the car and into custody. According to bodycam footage released by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, McNeil was initially engaging with the officer, explaining that an officer had previously told him his headlights were off during apparent inclement weather. He refused to hand over his license, registration, and proof of insurance, prompting the officer to take more aggressive measures.
Deegan, who serves in a consolidated government system where she and the sheriff are independently elected, clarified that her role is to manage city affairs, while Sheriff T.K. Waters is responsible for law enforcement. She praised Waters for releasing the bodycam video and attempted transparency, though she stopped short of making any judgments. ‘He shows the video. He shows the bodycam videos. However you feel about this, I think that the sheriff has come out and tried to be as transparent as he can with the process,’ Deegan said. ‘I think that I would just ask people to be a little patient.’
Waters stated that his agency had immediately initiated both criminal and administrative reviews of the officer’s actions following the incident. ‘These administrative reviews are ongoing, but the state attorney’s office has determined that none of the involved officers violated criminal law,’ Waters said. Attorneys Ben Crump and Harry Daniels, who have joined the case, highlighted the racial implications of the incident, noting that McNeil’s race may have contributed to the escalation of the situation. They said, ‘What happened to William McNeil Jr. is a disturbing reminder that even the most basic rights — like asking why you’ve been pulled over — can be met with violence for Black Americans.’
The attorneys are urging the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office to release all video footage from the incident to ensure transparency and accountability. ‘All video from JSO should be released to ensure there is transparency for McNeil and the community. We demand full accountability from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and justice for William McNeil Jr,’ they said. As the case moves forward, Deegan and Waters are both under pressure to balance public expectations with the need for legal due process.