The community comes together to honor the life of Gerald Neal, reflecting on the impacts of the tragic incident.
The tragic death of Gerald Neal, a bystander struck during a high-speed chase initiated by Officer Christopher Moulton, has sparked outrage in Orlando. Many are questioning Moulton’s past conduct and the Orlando Police Department’s pursuit policies. The community is calling for accountability as investigations unfold, revealing a troubling history of disciplinary actions against Moulton. Meanwhile, calls for police reform are growing louder, emphasizing the urgent need to reevaluate pursuit protocols to prevent future tragedies.
The city of Orlando is in shock as the community grapples with the fallout of a tragic incident that claimed the life of a bystander. On February 12, 2025, police officer Christopher Moulton was involved in a high-speed chase that ended with the death of 56-year-old Gerald Neal, who was struck while sitting on the sidewalk. This shocking tragedy has raised serious questions about the officer’s past conduct and the Orlando Police Department’s (OPD) pursuit policies.
Officer Moulton isn’t new to controversy. Just a few years back, he faced three separate disciplinary actions in 2019, which included incidents of improper use of force on a bar patron and two vehicle crashes. Notably, none of these incidents led to punishments that went beyond a simple reprimand. This raises eyebrows about how seriously the department has dealt with his past behavior, especially as he now stands at the center of a heartbreaking situation.
On that fateful day, Moulton initiated a chase due to an unreadable license plate, driving an unmarked truck. It appears he may have violated OPD’s pursuit protocols by embarking on this high-speed chase for what many deem a minor infraction. During the chaotic pursuit, Gerald Neal was struck not once, but twice—first by the fleeing suspect, Dornell Bargnare, before being hit by Moulton’s truck. Both vehicles have been identified as contributing to Neal’s tragic death, and an investigation is currently underway to pinpoint responsibility.
The community is now demanding accountability from the OPD. Family members and community activists are frustrated with the lack of transparency surrounding both Moulton’s past disciplinary record and the circumstances of Neal’s death. An inquiry was made to access Moulton’s complete disciplinary history, but it suffered from delays, leaving many feeling that vital information is being hidden from the public.
In the wake of the incident, Moulton has been placed on administrative leave while investigations unfold. Meanwhile, the Florida Highway Patrol is leading the investigation into the crash, with the OPD conducting its own internal review to evaluate potential breaches of their vehicle pursuit policies.
Neal’s family has enlisted the help of attorney Ben Crump, who is advocating for the release of both body-cam and dash-cam footage from the incident. Although Moulton’s vehicle was reportedly not equipped with a dash camera, the OPD has indicated that body-cam footage will be available once the investigation concludes. Many worry that the lack of video evidence could cloud the full story of what transpired.
In the aftermath of this tragedy, friends and family gathered to pay their respects to Gerald Neal. Those who knew him remember him as a man struggling with homelessness and grief over recent family losses. Neal’s funeral served as a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggles surrounding mental health and homelessness, as well as the intense need for reevaluation of police practices surrounding high-speed chases.
The case has sparked broader conversations about police reform and the policies governing police pursuits. As the investigation unfolds and the community seeks answers, many hope that changes will be made to prevent such tragedies in the future. The time for accountability is now, and the memory of Gerald Neal will not be forgotten as the community pushes for significant reforms within the OPD.
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