What is a sundown town? Viral TikTok on 21-year old Javion McGee being found hanging from a tree raises concern 

TikTok user @scottieprimpin took to the video-sharing platform to raise awareness of her cousin Javion McGee’s death, which has currently been ruled out as su*cide by law enforcement. The social media user alleged that the 21-year-old was found hanging from a tree in Henderson, North Carolina. Netizens have since taken to the internet to discuss the history of the Southern city.

The TikTok user shared that Javion McGee was a 21-year-old truck driver hailing from Chicago, Illinois. She alleged that law enforcement told the McGee family that Javion went to Walmart to purchase a rope and “hung himself.” The TikTok user added:

“We obviously don’t believe that, and we are just asking for your help to push his story out there.”

As news of Javion McGee’s death began circulating online, many began discussing how Henderson, North Carolina, was allegedly a “sundown town.” For those uninitiated, this refers to places in the U.S. that historically excluded non-White people, mostly Black citizens, from remaining in the place after sunset. The concept came into being mostly between the 1890s and 1968.

The places would also ensure that Black people do not have residency in the town. They would prominently do so by initiating public lynchings and house discrimination.

Internet users opined that Javion McGee was likely killed in Henderson, considering that it has been alleged to be a sundown town. Some comments online read:

Netizens react to the 21-year old’s death (Image via Instagram)

A few other cities in North Carolina that have seemingly been recognized as sundown towns include Carrboro, Mitchell County, Pinebluff, and Southern Pines. Meanwhile other reactions read:

Netizens react to the 21-year old’s death (Image via Instagram)

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The TikTok user claimed that Javion McGee’s family was not allowed to identify his body

The TikTok user also alleged that law enforcement was now allowing Javion’s family to identify his body.

“At one point they [police] told her [Javion's mother] she can’t identify the body due to Covid. And the next day, today they told her the father has to give her permission for that, which he said that he would,” she said.

The TikToker also alleged that Javion’s mother requested the police officers for pictures of her deceased son. After the police allegedly accepted her request, they reportedly stated, “oh, I don’t think you want to see your son like that.”

The Henderson Police Department has since released a statement stating that the Vance County Sheriff’s Office was investigating an incident that occurred on Vanco Mill Rd.

“Since this morning, our agency has been mentioned in some Facebook posts about the investigation. I want to be clear, this incident did not occur in the City of Henderson, nor have we had any involvement in the investigation,” they added.

Meanwhile, in a follow-up TikTok video, the platform user claimed that Javion’s family was “talking to the right people” to resolve the matter and gain more clarity regarding Javion’s death.

She also responded to a comment that asked her whether Javion McGee was “active in the streets” in a TikTok video. The TikTok user claimed that her younger cousin was from the suburbs and that she does not have “street n**gas in my family.” She then clarified that Javion was a victim in this situation.

Followers of the story now await more information regarding Javion McGee’s death.