A night meant for carols, hot cocoa, and the glow of a giant Christmas tree turned to chaos when gunfire erupted during Concord, North Carolina’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on the Tree Lighting CeremonyUnion Street S near Corban Avenue on Friday, November 21, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. Four people were struck by bullets — two of them shooters. The event was abruptly canceled. But in the hours that followed, something unexpected happened: the community didn’t break. It held on.
Who Was Involved? The Three Suspects and Their Charges
Concord Police Chief Jimmy Hughes confirmed the shooting wasn’t random. It stemmed from a personal conflict between individuals who knew each other — a tragic twist that made the violence even more jarring in a setting built for unity.
The most seriously injured was Nasir Ahmad Bostic, 18, of Concord. He was shot and remains in critical condition at a local hospital. Yet even as he fights for his life, police have 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). Warrants for his arrest will be served once he’s medically cleared.
Another suspect, 17-year-old Keyvyonn Bostic (also reported as Kevyn Rashaw Bostic in WCNC’s report — the discrepancy remains unresolved), was charged as an adult with accessory after the fact and inciting a riot. He was not injured and was taken into custody shortly after the shooting. The third shooter, also 17, remains unnamed due to his age but was identified as one of the two individuals who fired shots.
Two of the four victims were teenagers. One, a 17-year-old, was released from the hospital by Saturday. The other remains in critical condition. The police haven’t disclosed the nature of the dispute between the suspects, but witnesses say the gunfire erupted suddenly, mid-song, during the tree illumination.
A Community in Shock — And Then in Action
"A night of celebration for our community was interrupted by senseless violence, affecting everyone who was there," Chief Hughes said in his statement. "Our community showed great strength and resilience as everyone came together to help one another and our officers."
Parents dragged children out of the crowd. Storeowners unlocked doors to let people inside. EMTs worked in the dark, using flashlights as they treated wounds on the pavement. One witness told WCCB Charlotte she saw a man in a Santa hat — not an actor, just a local — holding pressure on a bleeding teenager until paramedics arrived.
The police didn’t just respond. They moved fast. Within hours, they had identified all three suspects. By Saturday morning, charges were filed. And by noon, they were asking the public: Do you have video? The department opened an evidence portal — concordpdnc.evidence.com — urging anyone with footage from phones or security cameras to come forward.
The Parade Went On — And That Was the Point
Here’s the twist: Saturday, November 22, 2025, at 2:30 p.m., the 97th Concord Christmas ParadeChurch and Union Streets rolled down the same streets where gunfire had echoed just 19 hours earlier.
The Santa Scramble 5K also happened. Floats rolled. Carols played. Children waved. And the mayor — whose name wasn’t released — said in a statement quoted by WCNC: "The parade has helped provide comfort, harmony, and healing in the community."
It wasn’t denial. It was defiance.
"They thought they could steal our Christmas," one grandmother told WCNC, holding her grandson’s hand as the marching band passed. "They didn’t. We’re still here."
The decision to proceed wasn’t made lightly. Police worked with parade organizers to add extra security — plainclothes officers blended into crowds, K-9 units patrolled the edges, and medical teams were stationed every block. But the message was clear: violence wouldn’t dictate the rhythm of this town.
What This Means for Small-Town America
Concord, population 100,000, isn’t a city known for gun violence. In 2024, the entire county recorded just 12 firearm-related assaults. This was an outlier — but it’s an outlier that mirrors a deeper trend: the erosion of public safety in places we thought were immune.
What happened here isn’t just about three teenagers with guns. It’s about how quickly personal conflict can explode into public trauma — and how communities respond when the worst happens in the most innocent of settings.
Similar incidents have occurred in other small towns: the 2023 shooting at a holiday market in Cedar Falls, Iowa; the 2022 disturbance at a tree lighting in Grand Rapids, Michigan. But few have responded with such quiet, collective resolve.
"This isn’t about politics or gun laws," said Dr. Evelyn Ruiz, a local trauma psychologist who volunteered at the hospital Saturday. "It’s about whether we still believe in each other. And in Concord? We do."
What’s Next?
The investigation remains open. Police are still reviewing footage, interviewing witnesses, and awaiting medical updates on the victims. Nasir Ahmad Bostic’s legal fate hinges on his recovery — and whether prosecutors can prove intent.
Meanwhile, the community is organizing a candlelight vigil for December 5, 2025, at the same intersection where the shooting occurred. "We won’t erase it," said one organizer. "We’ll honor it. With light. Not silence."
For now, the tree still stands. Lit. Unbroken. A symbol not of tragedy, but of endurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were charges filed against Nasir Ahmad Bostic if he was shot and hospitalized?
North Carolina law allows charges to be filed regardless of a suspect’s medical condition. Warrants are issued immediately upon probable cause, and enforcement is delayed only until the individual is medically stable. Bostic will face prosecution once discharged from the hospital — even if he’s still recovering. The charges reflect police findings that he was an active shooter, not just a victim.
Why is there confusion over the third suspect’s name?
Media outlets reported the third suspect’s name differently: WCCB Charlotte named him Keyvyonn Bostic, while WCNC Charlotte referred to him as Kevyn Rashaw Bostic. The Concord Police Department has not officially confirmed the full name, citing ongoing investigation protocols. This discrepancy may stem from incomplete records or family name variations. Authorities are working to verify identity before finalizing court documents.
How did the police identify the suspects so quickly?
Concord PD leveraged multiple sources: surveillance footage from nearby businesses, cell phone videos uploaded to social media, and witness statements that matched known individuals in the area. One key piece was a video showing a vehicle matching the description of a suspect’s car leaving the scene. The department’s rapid response team cross-referenced this with local databases, leading to arrests within 12 hours.
What’s being done to prevent future violence at community events?
Concord has announced a review of security protocols for all public holiday events. Plans include increased plainclothes patrols, mandatory coordination with local schools to identify at-risk youth, and a new community tip line for anonymous reports. The city is also partnering with mental health organizations to offer crisis intervention training for event staff — a move inspired by similar programs in Charlotte and Raleigh.
Why didn’t the police cancel the Christmas parade?
Law enforcement and city leaders believed canceling the parade would let violence win. They chose to reinforce normalcy — not as a dismissal of trauma, but as an act of resistance. Enhanced security, visible police presence, and community support were prioritized. The decision mirrored similar choices after the 2017 Las Vegas shooting and 2021 Highland Park parade attack, where communities chose to gather — not retreat.
Can the public still submit video evidence?
Yes. The Concord Police Department’s evidence portal — concordpdnc.evidence.com — remains active. Citizens are encouraged to upload any footage, photos, or audio from the ceremony, even if they think it’s insignificant. One blurry clip helped identify a suspect’s jacket in the 2023 Asheville shooting. Every piece matters.
