Death by Cop 2021-2025
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Gerald Neal
Gender : Male
Age : 56
Race : Black
Date : 02/12/2025
Location : Intersection of South Rio Grande Avenue and Indiana Street
City : Orlando
County : Orange
State : Florida
Agency : Orlando Police Department
Officer(s) :Christopher Moullton
Cause of Death : Vehicle
Event : Unhoused pedestrian bystander killed by police chase crash
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On 02/12/2025, at approximately 7:00 p.m., Orlando Police Department officers initiated a pursuit of a man for having an "unreadable license plate." Police escalated the chase southbound on Rio Grande Avenue. At the intersection with Indiana Street, the pursued vehicle attempted a sharp left turn, lost control of his vehicle, and struck 56-year-old pedestrian Gerald Neal, a well-known local unhoused man, who was sitting on the sidewalk. The pursuing unmarked police vehicle also jumped the curb and again hit the stricken pedestrian a second time. Neal was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Family and friends described Neal as a familiar presence in the area, noting he frequented the location daily. The incident has raised questions about the Orlando Police Department's pursuit policies, which state that officers may engage in chases only when the pursued person is believed to have committed a forcible felony. The chase had been undertaken when police could not read a license plate and escalated the high-speed chase for unpermitted reasons. Additionally, unmarked cars are not allowed to chase someone unless no marked unit is available. Officer Moulton was placed on paid leave.
SOURCE LINKS :
https://www.wftv.com/news/local/family-friends-hold-memorial-pedestrian-killed-during-orlando-police-pursuit/5ZDR5CY775AOJGFYDH2IFFLBTI/
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/02/13/orlando-police-chase-led-to-a-pedestrians-death-but-cops-obscured-their-role/
https://lawandcrime.com/crime/detective-who-allegedly-killed-pedestrian-during-police-chase-over-an-unreadable-license-plate-placed-on-paid-leave/
