ATKINSON, N.C. (WECT) – A sign has jaws dropping in a small Pender County town. The sign reads, “We must kill the white trash who hire illegal aliens.”

Rosey Milazzo said she was shocked when she spotted this sign in Atkinson. (Source: Rosey Milazzo)

The banner is on a building on Church Street in Atkinson. Atkinson is a town of 321, and the sign has many residents outraged.UPDATE: NC town fights back against sign put up downtown calling for killings over illegal immigration

District Attorney Ben David said his office is looking into the legality of the sign.

“It’s under investigation and review of the law,” David said.

Many neighbors are upset about the sign’s message.

“Freedom of speech is fine but that is bringing hatred to the town,” said Regina Claybrook. “It’s separating the town.”UPDATE: Sign in NC town calling for killings over illegal immigration gone, but not for long

“Atkinson is such a small, peaceful, quiet town, everyone looks out for everybody else,” said Lewis Watkins, who is the town barber and has lived in Atkinson for more than 70 years.

Mayor Maulin Patel said the vacant building the sign is on belongs to Donald Sullivan. WECT tried to speak to Sullivan at his home Thursday but the home was down a private road and gated.

Sullivan ran for mayor of Atkinson in 2007. According to voting records, he lost the election, receiving only nine votes.