Four Injured in Christmas Tree Shooting in Concord, N.C.; Three Suspects Identified

A night meant to spark holiday joy in downtown Concord turned into a scene of chaos when gunfire erupted during the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony on the Christmas Tree Lighting CeremonyUnion Street South and Corban Avenue at approximately 7:30 p.m. on November 21, 2025. Four people were shot—three in critical condition, one stable—before panicked crowds scattered, strollers abandoned, and the sweet scent of hot cocoa gave way to the sharp tang of gunpowder. The event, organized by the Concord Downtown Alliance, drew more than 5,000 residents, many of them families with young children. What followed wasn’t just a tragedy—it was a rupture in the fabric of a tight-knit community that had gathered to celebrate the season.

What Happened at the Ceremony?

Video captured by Pierre Simmons, a photojournalist with WCNC Charlotte, shows the moment the shots rang out. At 7:40 p.m., the crowd’s cheers for the tree’s illumination abruptly shifted to screams. People dove behind cars, parents snatched up toddlers, and the glittering lights of the 50-foot tree flickered as emergency lights began to flash. Within minutes, Concord Police Department officers arrived, establishing crime scene tape and directing evacuations. Emergency crews from Concord Fire Department and Cabarrus County Emergency Medical Services responded in under four minutes—standard protocol for events of this scale.

The victims were all young men: two 17-year-olds who were bystanders, one released after treatment, the other still in critical condition at Atrium Health Cabarrus Hospital. The other two injured were the shooters themselves—Nasir Ahmad Bostic, 18, and an unnamed juvenile, both of whom were shot during the incident and remain hospitalized in critical condition.

The Suspects and Their Connections

By the next day, police had identified all three suspects. The two primary shooters—Bostic and the juvenile—were known to each other, according to Police Chief Jimmy Hughes of the Concord Police Department. Their motive, investigators say, wasn’t random. It was personal. And it happened in front of a crowd that included their neighbors, classmates, even relatives.

Keyvyonn Bostic, 17, the third suspect, was apprehended at 8:15 p.m. near the corner of South Main Street. He wasn’t shot. He didn’t fire a weapon. But police say he played a role: inciting the violence, possibly by encouraging the shooters or acting as a lookout. He’s being charged as an adult under North Carolina law—rare for someone his age—because of the severity of the charges: accessory after the fact and inciting a riot.

“This wasn’t a targeted attack on the public,” Chief Hughes said during a press briefing on November 22. “It was a violent act between people who knew each other, and it exploded in the middle of a celebration meant to bring us together.”

Charges and Legal Path Forward

Nasir Ahmad Bostic will face charges of assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury with intent to kill and inciting a riot—once he’s medically cleared to stand trial. The unnamed juvenile, under North Carolina’s juvenile code, will face similar charges, plus two counts of discharging a firearm into an occupied property. Prosecutors say they’re preparing to request transfer to adult court if the victim’s condition worsens.

Keyvyonn Bostic’s case is legally unusual. At 17, he’s typically handled in juvenile court. But Concord Police Department invoked North Carolina General Statute § 7B-2508, which allows for adult prosecution in cases involving violent crimes that endanger public safety. His attorney has not yet commented publicly.

Why This Hits So Hard in Concord

Concord, the county seat of Cabarrus County, has a population of just over 110,000. It’s the kind of place where the mayor shakes hands with the local barber, and the tree lighting is a tradition older than most parents alive today. The Concord Downtown Alliance organizes over 25 events annually—parades, farmers markets, concerts. This one was the crown jewel.

“We’ve had crime, sure,” said longtime resident Linda Morris, 68, who was there with her grandchildren. “But never like this. Not here. Not on the night we light the tree.”

Local businesses closed early that night—not out of fear, but to offer shelter. A diner on Union Street opened its doors to families who couldn’t get home. A church across the street became a temporary reunification center. The community didn’t wait for officials to lead. They led themselves.

What’s Next?

Police say the investigation is complete. No additional suspects are being sought. The focus now shifts to the court system and healing. A memorial service is planned for December 5 at Concord City Hall, where the tree will remain lit for 12 days as a symbol of resilience.

Meanwhile, state lawmakers are reviewing emergency response protocols for public events. North Carolina has seen no mass shooting at a holiday ceremony this large since 2017 in Asheville. But this one happened in a place where people didn’t think it could.

Background: A City That Values Community

Concord’s Christmas tree lighting began in 1983. It started with a 15-foot tree, a few hundred people, and a single choir. This year, it was a spectacle: live music, a visit from Santa, free cocoa, and a drone light show overhead. The city budgeted $85,000 for the event. It was supposed to be a moment of unity.

Now, it’s a turning point. Community leaders are calling for increased youth outreach programs. Local schools are adding trauma counseling. And for the first time in decades, parents are asking: Should we still bring our kids?