Support for William: A Journey for Justice and Healing

The GoFundMe wasn’t created until many of you asked for it. It’s all about seeking justice. Thank you for your support!

My name is William McNeil Jr. I am a 22-year-old native of Jacksonville, Florida, and I take pride in being a devoted son, youth mentor, musician, and a college student at Livingstone College. Recently, I made the difficult decision to take a year off from my studies and deferred my band scholarship to provide financial support for my family. During the day, I worked long hours at a home restoration company and did mechanical work on the side; however, in my spare time, I dedicated myself to mentoring the youth in my community and played the drums for two local churches.

On February 19, 2025, after finishing an 8-hour shift restoring a home, I drove to visit one of my mentees. Around 4:00 PM, after leaving my mentee’s house, I was pulled over by the Jacksonville Sheriffs for allegedly driving without my headlights on — despite it still being light outside, with no rain and clear visibility. I remained calm and respectful during the stop, even though I was unsure of what law I had broken. When I requested to speak to a supervisor, the situation escalated rapidly. One deputy smashed my driver’s side window and punched me in the face before opening my door. Several officers from the Jacksonville Sheriff's Department continued to strike me multiple times outside my vehicle. The assault left me not only traumatized but also with a chipped tooth, multiple stitches in my lip, a concussion, and short-term memory loss.

I faced several charges that forced me to seek legal representation, which I could not afford. The incident resulted in significant medical bills, and I am unable to repair my car. The mental, emotional, and psychological distress has made it challenging for me to maintain steady employment. I am uncertain if I am mentally or physically prepared to return to college in Fall 2025, which was my intention before this incident. What should have been a typical day for me has turned into an uncertain future due to a violent encounter that should never have occurred. I am raising $10,000.00 to help cover medical expenses, auto repairs, recoup legal fees, and to support myself as I recover and work towards rebuilding my life.

Every contribution counts, so no donation is too insignificant. I appreciate you taking the time to read my story! If you are able to contribute, please understand that your support is immensely valued; and if donating isn't an option for you, I kindly ask that you share this campaign instead.

The funds generated from this fundraiser are exclusively designated for William. He has appointed Lavett Boger to manage these funds on his behalf, and she will facilitate the transfer directly to him, bypassing the GoFundMe platform.