A video from a February 2025 traffic stop involving a 22-year-old African American man, William McNeill Jr., has gained significant attention after its release. The roughly two-minute footage shows McNeill in his car during a tense interaction with police officers.
In the recording, he explains to an officer that his windows aren’t functioning, which prompts the officer to comment on his headlights being off due to the weather. McNeill points out that he’s not the only one with their lights off, adding, “There’s no rain.”
The officer retorts, “That doesn’t matter. You still need to turn on the headlights.”
“Can we maybe adjust that law?” McNeill asks, to which the officer replies, “Yeah, when you get out of the car, I do.”
McNeill then requests a supervisor’s presence. At this juncture, the officer instructs another officer to break the windows. One officer reaches in through the shattered glass and punches him. Following this, McNeill is forcibly removed from the vehicle, allegedly facing multiple punches and being pinned to the ground.
This incident raises some questions about the level of force applied against McNeill.
However, a different video has emerged that presents an alternate view of events. This contrasts with the initial footage and includes a longer police body camera recording.
In the body cam footage, it’s evident that McNeill had already been talking to police for a few minutes before he began recording the destruction of his windows and subsequent removal.
It shows McNeill with his door open while the officer stands back and inquires about the open door. McNeill cites his non-functioning windows. Officers then ask for his license, registration, and proof of insurance, having pulled him over during adverse weather conditions while noting that he wasn’t wearing a seatbelt.
McNeill firmly says, “No, call our supervisor.”
When the officer demands he exit the vehicle, McNeill responds with refusal, closing and locking his door instead.
This leads to the officers declaring that he is being arrested for resisting. They warn him that they will forcibly open the vehicle if he does not comply. Despite repeated warnings, McNeill does not yield, resulting in the officers being commanded to break the windows.
It’s worth noting that McNeill was driving with a suspended license and had marijuana in his possession at the time of the arrest, with reports indicating that the officers reached for a large knife when he opened his door.
For additional commentary and analysis on this incident, resources are available in the accompanying episode.
