Concerns are mounting on social media following the alleged lynching of 21-year-old Javion McGee, a truck driver from Chicago, Illinois, who was found hanging from a tree in Henderson, North Carolina, on September 11. Law enforcement has ruled the death a suicide, but McGee’s family remains unconvinced, with growing calls for further investigation.
The case gained traction after TikTok user @scottieprimpin, McGee’s cousin, shared details of his death, urging viewers to spread awareness. According to @scottieprimpin, authorities informed the family that McGee had purchased a rope from Walmart before taking his own life, a claim the family rejects. “We obviously don’t believe that, and we are just asking for your help to push his story out there,” the TikTok user said.
The case has sparked conversations online about Henderson, North Carolina, which some claim has a history of being a “sundown town,” where Black people were historically prohibited from being after dark. Many commenters are skeptical of the official suicide ruling, believing McGee’s death may be tied to this troubling history of racial violence.
Additionally, @scottieprimpin alleged that police initially barred McGee’s mother from identifying his body, citing COVID-19 protocols, later stating that his father had to grant permission, which was eventually done.
The Henderson Police Department clarified that the Vance County Sheriff’s Office is handling the investigation, as the incident occurred outside the city limits. McGee’s family is working with authorities to seek further answers, while the public continues to follow the case closely for any new developments.
