Concord Shooting at Tree Lighting Ceremony Leaves Four Wounded, Three Charged

A night meant to spark holiday joy in downtown Concord, North Carolina, turned into a scene of chaos when gunfire erupted during the City of Concord Tree Lighting Ceremonydowntown Concord on Friday, November 21, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. EST. Witnesses described the moment as surreal — children laughing, carolers singing, then the sharp crack of gunshots mid-dance performance. Four people were hit, including two of the suspects, in what police now say was not random violence, but a targeted confrontation between people who knew each other. The Concord Police Department moved with startling speed, identifying all three suspects within 24 hours and issuing charges before the sun rose on Saturday.

What Happened During the Ceremony?

It was the 97th annual Tree Lighting — a tradition since 1928. Families packed the square, hot cocoa in hand, waiting for the countdown. A local youth dance group took the stage, their lights twinkling under the city’s giant evergreen. Then, at 7:31 p.m., a fight broke out near the back of the crowd. Someone pulled a gun. Two shots rang out. Then three more. People screamed. Some dove behind benches. Others ran toward the exits, tripping over holiday decorations. Within minutes, Concord Police Department officers were on the scene, aided by downtown business owners who locked doors and directed people to safety. "We didn’t know if it was one shooter or more," said one bystander who asked not to be named. "But people were helping strangers up, dragging them away. It was instinct."

The Suspects and Their Charges

By Saturday morning, Nasir Ahmad Bostic, 18, of Concord — spelled "Bost" in some early reports — was identified as one of the shooters. He was critically injured and remains hospitalized. Police filed charges against him: 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). His arrest warrant will be served once he’s medically cleared.

The second shooter? A 17-year-old male, unnamed due to juvenile status. He was also critically wounded. The North Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice filed petitions charging him with the same assault count, plus two counts of discharging into an occupied property inflicting serious injury (N.C.G.S. 14-34.1), and inciting a riot.

And then there’s Kevyn Rashaw Bostic, 17 — no relation to Nasir, according to police. He wasn’t shot. He was arrested near the scene, accused of helping the shooters flee. Charged as an accessory after the fact, he’s now in custody. "We don’t believe he fired a weapon," said Police Chief Jimmy Hughes. "But he was there, he knew what happened, and he didn’t stop it. That makes him part of the crime."

Who Were the Victims?

The four gunshot victims included the two shooters and two innocent bystanders — both 17-year-old males. One, identified as a student at Concord High School, was released from Atrium Health Cabarrus on Saturday afternoon. The other remains in critical condition, with multiple gunshot wounds to the torso. Nasir Ahmad Bostic and the juvenile suspect are both in intensive care, sedated, with surgeries still pending. "They’re young men with entire lives ahead of them," said a hospital spokesperson. "But right now, we’re just trying to keep them alive."

Community Shock and the Aftermath

The City of Concord Tree Lighting Ceremony was canceled after the shooting. But the city made a bold decision: the 97th annual Christmas parade — scheduled for Saturday night — would go on. "We won’t let fear erase our traditions," said Mayor Dana Jones in a press statement. "The parade isn’t about spectacle. It’s about resilience."

And it was. Hundreds showed up. Many wore ribbons in the colors of the city’s flag. Some held candles. One woman, crying, whispered to a reporter, "I’m scared to come back next year. But if I don’t, they win."

On social media, hashtags like #ConcordStrong and #TreeLightingShooting trended locally. But the emotional toll is deeper than hashtags. Local pastors held vigils. Schools offered counseling. The Concord Police Department received over 200 tips in 48 hours — many from teens who knew the suspects from school or the neighborhood.

Why This Isn’t Just Another Shooting

This wasn’t a mass shooting. No one was targeted because of who they were. It was a violent escalation between young men — possibly over a long-standing dispute, possibly over something as small as a social media post. That’s what makes it chilling. These aren’t strangers in a crowd. They’re kids from the same zip code. One went to the same church as the released victim. Another played basketball at the same rec center.

"We’ve had shootings before," said Dr. Lillian Moore, a community psychologist who’s worked in Concord for 22 years. "But this happened during a ritual that binds us. That’s the wound here — not just the bullets. It’s the loss of innocence in a place where everyone knows everyone."

What’s Next?

Prosecutors are now reviewing whether to charge the juvenile as an adult — a move that could send him to prison for decades. The North Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice will hold a detention hearing within 72 hours. Meanwhile, the Concord Police Department is analyzing security footage from 17 businesses and traffic cameras. They’re also working with schools to identify any prior signs of escalating tension.

"We’re not just chasing suspects," said Chief Hughes. "We’re trying to understand how this happened — and how to stop the next one."

Background: A Community Under Pressure

Concord, a city of roughly 100,000 just north of Charlotte, has seen a 17% increase in gun-related incidents since 2021, according to state crime data. Youth violence has risen faster than overall crime — particularly among 16- to 19-year-olds. There are no easy answers. The city’s youth center closed in 2023 due to budget cuts. A proposed after-school gun safety program was tabled last spring.

"We used to have block parties every weekend," said 68-year-old Mary Jenkins, who’s lived in Concord since 1972. "Now we lock our doors before sundown. And we don’t let the grandkids go to the square anymore."