Truck Driver’s TikTok Story Highlights Dangers of Historic “Sundown Towns”
Shamar Alion recently shared a chilling experience on TikTok, recounting what he calls his “Sundowntown story time.” The Florida-based truck driver described a terrifying encounter while on the job that left a lasting impression.
Alion’s truck broke down in a remote location, and his dispatcher instructed him to stay with the vehicle to protect its cargo while waiting for a tow truck. He parked at an isolated Circle K gas station, expecting a long wait. Hoping to pass the time, he went inside for food and drinks.
Inside, Alion recalls a kind interaction with an elderly white woman at the counter. “She was sweet as can be,” he said. After hearing his situation, she offered her sympathy—but soon, police arrived.
A black police officer approached Alion and asked about the situation. After inspecting the truck, he said, “Listen, I’m going to have to take you somewhere.” Confused, Alion got in the cruiser, unsure if he was being arrested.
When he asked about the woman at the counter, the officer explained, “She didn’t call the police on you. She called the police for you. I know her personally. In 45 minutes, that sun was going to go down, and you would have gone missing.”
The officer drove Alion to a well-lit mall where he could safely wait and even contacted his dispatcher to explain the situation. When the tow truck eventually arrived, the driver, too, refused to visit the small town after dark. Reflecting on the incident, Alion said, “This was about seven years ago, and I swear I think about that s— every other day… Mostly, I’m grateful to the lady who saved my life. She could have just let me sit there, and I would have gone missing.”
Understanding Sundown Towns
Alion titled his video “sundown town,” referencing a historic practice in the U.S. where towns posted signs requiring people of color to leave by sundown. The first curfews targeting people of color date back to 1714. These laws persisted into the 1950s, allowing Black travelers to pass through certain communities but forbidding them from staying overnight. Entire sundown suburbs and counties also existed.
While no municipalities today enforce official laws restricting people of color from staying after dark, the legacy remains. As one TikTok user responding to Alion’s video noted, “They’re very much still alive and thriving, and the next generation is holding it down.”
Though Alion never revealed the location, commenters quickly identified the spot as the Circle K on U.S. 301 in Citra, Florida. Alion confirmed their claims with a simple “yep.”
@shamar_alion