A Florida sheriff’s deputy tasered a man who became aggressive after he was pulled over in Washington County while riding a stolen tractor.
Officials from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office released footage of the incident, which shows a violent altercation that ended in a fleeing suspect getting tasered and hitting the pavement.
A deputy spotted McNeil swerving and initiated a traffic stop.
During the stop, the suspect provided a false name. He told the deputy he did not have any identification on him at the time and his driver’s license was not valid.
During a pat-down search, the deputy found a knife and a partially labeled prescription medication bottle, containing pills.
As the deputy tried to make an arrest, a scuffle broke out.
“When the deputy began to detain McNeil, he turned away and aggressively attempted to flee,” police said in a statement. “As the deputy continued to apprehend McNeil, the suspect violently struggled with the deputy, hitting the deputy as he attempted to pick the deputy up and slam him to the ground.”
The video then shows the deputy using a taser on McNeil as he runs away from the officer. He hit his head on the roadway and lost consciousness, police said, but regained consciousness before medics arrived and provided his correct name and date of birth to law enforcement. He was transported to hospital for treatment for his injuries.
McNeil faces a range of charges in connection with the incident.
“WCSO issued McNeil a Notice to Appear for felony court on the charges of battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest with violence, providing a false name to law enforcement, and possession of a new legend drug,” the police statement reads.
Police said McNeil stole the Massey Ferguson tractor from a 71-year-old man and they were seeking a felony arrest warrant on charges of grand theft.
“We operate the Washington County Sheriff’s Office with the highest level of professionalism and integrity. More than 99 percent of our arrests are without incident or injury,” said Sheriff Kevin Crews. “When a suspect chooses to violently attack or attempt to overpower one of our deputies, it is our responsibility as law enforcement to react in such a way that protects our communities from further safety risks.”
The sheriff’s office said McNeil was released from prison earlier this year and is currently out on bond on unrelated felony drug charges.
