Concord Shooting at Tree Lighting Injures Four, Including Two Suspects

On Friday, November 21, 2025, just as the lights flickered on the giant Christmas tree in downtown Concord, North Carolina, gunfire erupted during the city’s cherished Tree Lighting CeremonyConcord. Four people were hit — two of them, it turned out, were the shooters. What began as a night of carols and hot cocoa ended in chaos, leaving the community reeling and law enforcement scrambling to make sense of a violence that wasn’t random, but deeply personal.

Not a Random Act — A Feud That Escalated

Concord Police Chief Jimmy Hughes didn’t mince words: this wasn’t an attack on the public. It was a confrontation between two young men who knew each other — and it spilled into a crowd of families, children, and seniors gathered under the twinkling lights. The shooting happened during a dance performance, seconds after the tree was illuminated. People screamed. Some dove behind benches. Others ran, clutching their kids.

"A night of celebration for our community was interrupted by senseless violence," Hughes said. "But our community showed great strength. Business owners locked doors to shield people. Strangers became first responders. Officers moved fast. And we got all the suspects identified within hours."

That speed was critical. By midnight, police had confirmed three suspects: Nasir Ahmad Bostic, 18, of Concord, and two juveniles. Two of the four victims — Bostic and one of the teens — were in critical condition. The third suspect, also a teenager, was treated and released. CBS 17 reported that two of the injured were shooters. WCNC confirmed the same. The details were grim, but clear: this was a fight that got out of hand — and it happened in the middle of a holiday tradition.

Charges Filed — And a Legal Path Forward

On Monday, November 24, 2025, the Concord Police Department filed formal charges. For Bostic, they included: 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’s still in the hospital, fighting for his life. Warrants have been issued. He’ll be arrested the moment he’s medically cleared.

The second shooter, a 17-year-old, is being handled by the North Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice. Under state law, his name won’t be released. But the charges are severe: the same assault count, plus two counts of discharging a firearm into an occupied property inflicting serious injury (N.C.G.S. 14-34.1), and inciting a riot. The third suspect, also 17, was released after treatment. No charges have been filed against him — yet.

These aren’t minor offenses. N.C.G.S. 14-32(a) carries a potential prison term of 10 to 51 months for a first-time offender — longer if aggravating factors are proven. The riot charge? Up to 15 months. For the juveniles, outcomes will hinge on court hearings, mental health evaluations, and whether their families can provide structure. But make no mistake: this is serious.

The Parade That Refused to Cancel

Less than 24 hours after the shooting, the 97th annual Christmas ParadeConcord rolled down Church and Union Streets — just as planned.

Mayor John McAllister stood on the reviewing stand, holding back tears. "We didn’t cancel because we refuse to let fear win," he told the crowd. "This parade isn’t just about reindeer and candy canes. It’s about us — coming together, even when it hurts."

And they did. Hundreds lined the sidewalks. Children waved glow sticks. Local bands played carols. A man in a Santa suit handed out hot chocolate. One woman, clutching her 5-year-old, whispered to a reporter: "I didn’t want to come. But then I thought — if we don’t show up, what does that say? That they win? No. We’re not letting that happen."

The contrast was jarring. The night before: sirens, blood, panic. The day after: laughter, carols, unity. It wasn’t denial. It was defiance.

Why This Matters Beyond Concord

Concord isn’t a big city. Population: about 110,000. It’s the kind of place where everyone knows the barista at the coffee shop. Where the tree lighting has been held since 1928. When something like this happens here, it shatters more than just a celebration — it shatters a sense of safety that many assumed was guaranteed.

This isn’t the first time a holiday event has been marred by violence. In 2023, a shooting during a Christmas market in Philadelphia left three dead. In 2022, a stabbing at a tree lighting in Minneapolis injured five. But those were stranger-on-stranger crimes. This? This was a personal feud that exploded in public. That’s harder to predict. Harder to prevent.

"We have cameras. We have community watch groups. But when two kids who grew up down the street from each other decide to bring guns to a party — what do you do?" asked Dr. Lillian Ruiz, a community psychologist in Cabarrus County. "We talk about gun control. We talk about mental health. But we don’t talk enough about the quiet tensions that build between teens — the grudges, the social media fights, the feeling that violence is the only way to be heard."

What’s Next?

The investigation continues. Police are reviewing hundreds of hours of surveillance footage. They’re interviewing witnesses who saw the argument before the shots. They’re working with schools to identify any warning signs the teens may have shown.

Bostic’s release from the hospital is expected within days. Once he’s cleared, the arrest will happen. His family has not commented. The juvenile’s legal team has requested a closed hearing, citing privacy. The third suspect remains under informal monitoring.

And the tree? It’s still standing. Lit up every night. People leave notes on its base: "We’re still here." "We won’t be afraid." "Love wins."