The Orange County Sheriff’s Office and fire crews dealt with a suspicious package in an Orlando neighborhood, at a home recently spotlighted in a racially charged incident. ClickOrlando reported that authorities initially treated the situation as a hazmat incident, though it was then clarified to involve a suspicious package. The incident required a broad response, including ambulances, and was eventually deemed safe by responders.
While authorities have yet to confirm the connection, the home involved was recently the backdrop of a viral TikTok video capturing a Black door-to-door salesman, Antavis Johnson, being racially harassed. According to WESH, Johnson claimed the residents pursued him off the property while hurling racial slurs. The video showcased verbal threats and derogatory language, including "Go on and take your Black a-- out of here m--------ker," and "You dumb f---ing n---er, get your Black a-- out of here."
Johnson's TikTok video, now removed, went viral and resulted in over 13 million views, drawing national attention to the incident, which occurred on July 29. Post-incident, Johnson is reported to have said, "It's hard for me to sleep, trying to get my mind off this situation that happened," in an interview with ClickOrlando. He has also initiated a fundraising campaign, which has amassed more than $60,000 in support.
After the video went viral, the couple told police they began receiving threats. In response, special units and other emergency crews rushed to the street shown in the video. The Orange County Sheriff's Office later said a suspicious package found there was safe. However, they haven't confirmed if the package was connected to the viral video.
