Police officer has been fired following an internal investigation into a use‑of‑force encounter earlier this year

A Daytona Beach police officer has been fired following an internal investigation into a use‑of‑force encounter earlier this year, a case that began as a simple open‑container stop and spiraled into one of the city’s most debated policing incidents of 2026.

The department confirmed that Officer Joel Llinas was terminated after Internal Affairs determined he violated multiple policies during his confrontation with David Anderson in March. What started as a routine interaction near Bethune‑Cookman University escalated quickly after Anderson refused to pour out a bottle of tequila. When Llinas emptied it himself, Anderson flicked the cork toward him, prompting the officer to take him to the ground.

Body‑camera footage later showed a struggle in which Llinas attempted to handcuff Anderson, reported being bitten on the wrist, and then struck Anderson several times while he was already restrained. Prosecutors ultimately dropped charges against Anderson and declined to pursue charges against Llinas, but the department continued its internal review.

Investigators concluded that Llinas allowed a minor enforcement situation to escalate unnecessarily and failed to maintain the emotional control expected of Daytona Beach officers. The report also noted that this was his second force‑related incident in a short period, despite having recently completed de‑escalation training.

The Coastal Florida Police Benevolent Association criticized the firing, calling it an overreaction and arguing that Anderson’s resistance contributed to the escalation. The union plans to challenge the termination through arbitration.

The incident has reignited community conversations about police accountability, the role of body‑camera footage, and how quickly routine encounters can turn volatile. Daytona Beach officials say they hope the decision reinforces their commitment to transparency and public trust.