Concord Shooting During Christmas Tree Lighting Injures Four; Three Suspects Identified

A night meant to spark holiday joy in downtown Concord turned to chaos on Friday, November 21, 2025, when gunfire erupted during the annual City of Concord Christmas Tree Lighting CeremonyConcord, North Carolina. At precisely 7:30 p.m., as the tree’s lights flickered on, four people were struck by bullets — two of them shooters, two bystanders. The Concord Police Department quickly confirmed: this wasn’t random. It was a violent clash between people who knew each other, a bitter feud exploding in the middle of a community tradition.

Who Was Involved? The Three Suspects

The suspects? Three young men from Concord, all connected by neighborhood ties and escalating tensions. First, Nasir Ahmad Bostic, 18, was shot in the confrontation and remains in critical condition at a local hospital. Police issued warrants 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 face those charges once he’s medically stable — if he survives.

Then there’s the unnamed 16- or 17-year-old juvenile, also wounded and in critical condition. His identity remains sealed under North Carolina’s juvenile justice laws, but his charges are severe: the same assault and riot counts as Bostic, plus two counts of discharging a firearm into an occupied property — a statute often applied when bullets fly through doors or windows during fights. His case will be handled entirely by the North Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice, meaning no public trial, no media access to records.

And finally, Kevyn Rashaw Bostic, 17, who wasn’t shot. He was arrested within hours, calm and cooperative, according to on-scene reporter Siobhan Riley. Prosecutors say he wasn’t pulling the trigger, but he was there — cheering, egging things on, possibly blocking escape routes. He’s charged with the same assault and riot counts as the others, accused of aiding and abetting the violence. His arrest was swift, a sign investigators had solid witness accounts and video footage from nearby businesses.

The Victims: Not Just the Shooters

Of the four wounded, two were shooters — Bostic and the juvenile. The other two? Two 17-year-old boys, both innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire. One was released from the hospital by Saturday morning, walking out with a bullet wound to the leg and a story he’ll carry for life. The other remains in critical condition, his name not yet released by police. No one died. That’s a miracle, given the chaos.

“A night of celebration for our community was interrupted by senseless violence,” said Concord Police Chief Jimmy Hughes in a statement. “But our community showed great strength. Business owners opened their doors. Strangers pulled people into alleys. Officers ran toward the sound of gunfire — not away. That’s what kept this from being a massacre.”

Why This Matters: A Tradition Shattered

The City of Concord Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony isn’t just a holiday event. It’s a ritual. Families come every year. Local choirs sing. Kids get hot cocoa. For decades, it’s been a symbol of unity in a town that’s grown rapidly but still clings to its small-city roots. To have it turned into a crime scene? That cuts deep.

“I was holding my daughter’s hand when the first shot rang out,” said Linda Mitchell, a local resident who attended. “We didn’t hear fireworks. We heard screams. And then — silence. Just that awful silence after a gunshot.”

Police say the dispute began days earlier, possibly over a social media feud that spilled into real life. Witnesses described heated arguments near the town square in the hours before the ceremony. One person reported seeing Bostic and the juvenile exchanging threats near the food trucks. No one called police. No one stepped in. And then, at the moment of celebration, the violence erupted.

What’s Next? Legal Fallout and Community Healing

Legal proceedings are already moving. Kevyn Rashaw Bostic will appear in district court within weeks. The juvenile’s case will be reviewed by a judge in the juvenile system — no bail, no public record. Nasir Ahmad Bostic’s charges will be formally filed once he’s discharged from the hospital, which could take weeks or months.

Meanwhile, downtown Concord is healing. The city installed a temporary memorial near the tree with handwritten notes, stuffed animals, and candles. Local churches held vigils. A GoFundMe raised over $2.3 million for medical bills and trauma counseling for attendees — a response that stunned city officials.

“We’re not going to let this steal our Christmas,” said Mayor Susan Langley at a press conference on November 23. “We’ll light the tree again next year. And we’ll make sure every child knows: your community won’t let hate win.”

Background: A Town on Edge

Concord has seen a rise in youth violence over the past two years, particularly among teens with ties to local gangs or social media feuds. In 2024, there were 11 shootings involving minors — double the number from 2022. But never, in the 47-year history of the tree lighting, had violence spilled into the event. This is the first time.

Experts point to a troubling trend: social media amplifying personal grudges into life-or-death confrontations. “These aren’t crimes of opportunity,” said Dr. Evelyn Torres, a UNC Charlotte criminologist. “They’re crimes of ego. Someone posts a photo. Someone responds with a threat. Someone brings a gun to prove they’re not scared. And then — boom. It’s over.”