Concord Shooting at Tree Lighting Ceremony Leaves Four Wounded; Three Suspects Charged

A festive evening in downtown Concord, North Carolina, turned to chaos when gunshots rang out during the annual Tree Lighting CeremonyUnion Street South near Corban Avenue on Friday, November 21, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Four people were struck by gunfire—three in critical condition, one stable—ending what had been a cherished community tradition. Police quickly determined this wasn’t random violence. It was a targeted clash between people who knew each other. And now, three suspects are in custody or facing charges, including two who were shot themselves.

The Night the Lights Went Out

Hundreds had gathered under string lights and carolers, children clutching hot cocoa, families snapping photos beside the towering Christmas tree. Then, without warning, the music stopped. Screams replaced carols. People dove behind cars, into storefronts, under benches. The Concord Police Department responded within minutes. Officers, business owners, even bystanders helped evacuate the area. No one else was hurt. That’s the miracle.

By dawn, investigators had pieced together what happened. The shooting erupted between two groups with a history. Not a crowd. Not a stranger. Just two young men, already known to each other, caught in a violent moment amid holiday cheer. One of them? Nasir Ahmad Bostic, 18, of Concord. He was shot in the attack. He’s still in critical condition at a local hospital. But police didn’t wait. Warrants were issued for his arrest on charges of assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury with intent to kill (N.C.G.S. 14-32(a)) and inciting a riot (N.C.G.S. 14-288.2). He’ll be charged once medically cleared.

Two More Suspects, One Still Unnamed

The second shooter? An unnamed 17-year-old male. Also wounded. Also hospitalized in critical condition. Police say he’s the other primary actor in the altercation. His identity remains sealed for now, partly due to his age, partly because investigators are still confirming details.

The third suspect? Keyvyonn Bostic, 17—also known as Kevyn Rashaw Bostic—wasn’t shot. He was arrested on the scene. Charged as an adult with accessory after the fact and inciting a riot. According to investigators, he helped the shooters flee or hid evidence after the gunfire. He’s now in custody, awaiting arraignment.

Two other teens, both 17, were caught in the crossfire. One was released after treatment. The other remains in critical condition. That’s four victims total. Three shooters. And no one was just a bystander.

Community Resilience in the Wake of Chaos

"A night of celebration was interrupted by senseless violence," said Concord Police Chief Jimmy Hughes. "But our community showed strength. People helped each other. Businesses opened their doors. Officers moved fast. We got everyone out. We got the suspects identified. That’s the story here—not just the shooting, but how we came together."

The 97th Concord Christmas ParadeConcord, North Carolina rolled on Saturday at 2:30 p.m., just as planned. The Santa Scramble 5K went ahead too. No cancellations. No retreat. That’s the message residents wanted to send.

"We’re not letting fear win," said local resident Maria Delgado, who brought her two young daughters to the parade. "They were scared Friday night. But Saturday? They wore their reindeer antlers again. That’s how we heal."

What Happens Next?

The Cabarrus County District Attorney’s Office will handle prosecution once all suspects are medically cleared. The case hinges on surveillance footage, eyewitness accounts, and digital evidence—especially video from phones.

Police have opened a public evidence portal: concordpdnc.evidence.com. They’re asking anyone who filmed the scene—any clip, even a few seconds—to submit it. A single frame could change everything.

Experts say this isn’t isolated. Similar incidents have occurred during holiday events in smaller cities—Fayetteville, Greensboro, even in suburban towns near Charlotte. But what makes this different? The timing. The setting. The fact that the violence was personal, not ideological. That’s harder to prevent. There’s no warning sign. No manifesto. Just a feud that exploded in front of a crowd of children.

Background: Concord’s Holiday Tradition

For over 90 years, Concord has lit its Christmas tree in downtown Union Street. It’s not just a ceremony. It’s a ritual. Families return year after year. Local bands play. The mayor gives a speech. The tree is donated by a different family each time. It’s the official start of the holiday season in Cabarrus County.

Before Friday, the most serious incident in the event’s history was a minor scuffle in 2019. No weapons. No injuries. This? This is a rupture. A wound in the city’s collective memory.

"We’ve always said this is safe," said longtime event organizer Linda Ruiz. "Now we know safety isn’t guaranteed. But we also know we can’t stop. Not now. Not ever."