Black Student Punched by Florida Cop During Traffic Stop Files Federal Lawsuit

"McNeil, who is 22, filmed the violent arrest with his cell phone. On February 19, an officer, later publicly identified as D. Bowers of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, stopped McNeil, who is Black, allegedly for not wearing a seatbelt and not having his headlights on due to "inclement weather," although it was not raining. Bowers also had his headlights off, according to the complaint."

"Video of the attack shows Bowers breaking the window of McNeil's car as McNeil sits and looks straight ahead. Bowers then punches him, drags him from the car, and punches him again. Several officers violently tackle McNeil to the ground. According to the complaint, Bowers slammed McNeil's head into the pavement, and a second officer repeatedly hit McNeil in the back. As a result of the attack, McNeil was diagnosed with an ongoing traumatic brain injury."

William McNeil Jr., a 22-year-old college student, filmed his violent arrest during a traffic stop on February 19 and filed a civil lawsuit against Jacksonville sheriff's deputies, the sheriff, and the city after prosecutors declined to bring criminal charges. The stop was allegedly for a seatbelt and headlights violation while an officer also had headlights off. Video shows Officer D. Bowers breaking McNeil's car window, punching and dragging him out, and multiple officers tackling him and slamming his head into pavement. McNeil was diagnosed with an ongoing traumatic brain injury and says he no longer drives because he does not trust police. He was accompanied by attorney Ben Crump and his mother, Latoya Solomon, at a press conference announcing the suit.

Read at Truthout