News Summary
Will McNeil Jr. has announced plans to file a federal lawsuit against Officer D.J. Bowers and the City of Jacksonville, following allegations of excessive force during his arrest. Prominent civil rights lawyers will represent McNeil, who claims he suffered injuries during the encounter. An investigative report revealed two instances of physical force used against him, sparking debate about police accountability and conduct in Jacksonville. McNeil’s legal team is calling for a federal investigation into the case as scrutiny around police practices intensifies.
Jacksonville – Will McNeil Jr., the man involved in a widely circulated traffic stop incident with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO), has announced plans to file a federal lawsuit against Officer D.J. Bowers and the City of Jacksonville. The lawsuit stems from allegations of improper use of physical force during McNeil’s arrest, which drew significant attention after a video of the incident went viral.
The announcement was made by McNeil’s attorneys on Monday, who are prominent civil rights lawyers Harry Daniels and Ben Crump. They are also calling for an investigation by the United States Department of Justice into the arrest, highlighting concerns regarding police conduct and accountability.
According to a 16-page investigative report released by the State Attorney’s Office (SAO), Officer Bowers used two forms of physical force against McNeil: an “open-hand strike” and a punch. The initial strike, which was captured on video and disseminated widely across social media, involved Bowers striking McNeil in the face. The SAO report states that Bowers described this initial action as a “distraction strike” aimed at gaining control over the situation.
The report notes that Bowers did not include details of the first strike in his arrest report, claiming he did not consider it to be a legitimate use of force. The SAO found Bowers’ explanation credible based on his training and the context outlined in his reports. However, the SAO’s findings also pointed out that McNeil did not comply with orders to exit his vehicle and had failed to provide identification on numerous occasions. The report indicates that McNeil allegedly refused lawful commands twelve times and had locked his car door in response to officers’ directives.
After the initial strike, McNeil reportedly complied by showing his hands to the officers. Unfortunately, video evidence indicates that McNeil suffered several injuries during the incident, including a laceration to his chin, a laceration to his lip, a fractured tooth, and a traumatic brain injury. Following the first strike, Officer Bowers delivered a second strike—a punch to McNeil’s chin—when McNeil physically resisted being taken into custody.
McNeil’s legal team has expressed criticism toward the SAO for its rationale in justifying Bowers’ actions, asserting that McNeil posed no threat when the initial strike occurred. They contend that the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office does not hold officers accountable for violations of use-of-force policies, raising broader concerns about police practices in the area.
As a result of the findings, the SAO has decided not to pursue any criminal charges against Officer Bowers, further intensifying scrutiny over the handling of the case. McNeil is expected to speak at a news conference scheduled for Wednesday morning, where he will formally announce the lawsuit against the officer and the city.
This incident has sparked a renewed conversation about police conduct, particularly in relation to the use of force during traffic stops and the potential for police accountability in Jacksonville. The outcome of the lawsuit and any subsequent federal investigation may have significant implications for law enforcement practices and community relations in the area.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the implications of this case will be closely monitored by both local residents and civil rights advocates, highlighting the ongoing challenges in balancing law enforcement protocols with community safety and civil liberties.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Fire Fighters and Police Unions Oppose Millage Rate Cut
Teacher Reassigned After Body Slamming Student at School Event
Jacksonville Woman Falls Victim to Debit Card Scam
Supreme Court Denies Florida’s Immigration Law Enforcement Request
Allstate Sues Clinics Over Alleged Insurance Fraud
Jacksonville Protests Demand Reopened Investigation in Police Arrest
Marion County Operation Leads to Arrest of 40 Child Predators
Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani Expands with New Jacksonville Office
Jacksonville Police Shoot and Kill Man After Standoff
Residents Sue Jacksonville Over Medical Examiner’s Office Construction
Additional Resources
- News4Jax
- Wikipedia: Police Brutality
- WTSP
- Google Search: Jacksonville police traffic stop
- USA Today
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Police
- ABC News
- Google News: William McNeil Jacksonville traffic stop
Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER
The JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREJacksonville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Jacksonville, Duval County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Riverside Arts Market, and World of Nations Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and JAXUSA Partnership, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and entertainment that power the local economy such as CSX Corporation, Baptist Health, and VyStar Credit Union. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
