A man has been sentenced for attacking Orlando police officers on Facebook Live.
An Orange County jury found 29-year-old William McClish guilty of Attempted Murder of a Law Enforcement Officer and other offenses after the surprise attack on two patrol officers he streamed live on Facebook.
On September 25, 2021, two Orlando Police Department uniformed patrol officers stood outside their vehicle at North Magnolia and East Washington Street.
The defendant leaned his phone against a trash can, positioning the two officers in view of the camera. McClish began streaming live on Facebook and armed himself with a brick. He returned in view of the camera and was captured on video striking an officer in the head with the brick.
A struggle ensued between McClish, the second officer and a witness who all tried to subdue McClish, who was actively fighting and resisting.
Both officers were injured. In addition to the battery with the brick on the first officer, McClish bit and gouged the second officer’s eye during the attack.
Officers gave McClish several commands to comply and stop resisting. He refused to comply and attempted to take the first officer’s firearm. He ripped the second officer’s radio off his uniform to prevent him from calling for assistance. After a few minutes, additional officers arrived on the scene and arrested McClish.
While in jail, McClish boasted about his attempt to take the officer’s firearm during the assault. Further investigation revealed a previously recorded video on his phone where he stated, “I’m gonna kill him on live,” establishing premeditation and his intention to kill.
McClish represented himself at trial. During his opening remarks he only said, “I didn’t do it and the evidence was tampered with.”
The jury returned a verdict within an hour and found McClish guilty of Attempted First Degree Murder of a Law Enforcement Officer, Resisting an Officer with Violence, Aggravated Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer with Great Bodily Harm, Depriving an Officer of Means of Protection/Communication and Attempted Depriving Officer of Means of Protection/Communication.
The Central Florida judge sentenced McClish to life in prison.
