Concord Shooting at Tree Lighting Targets Teens; Three Suspects Identified
A night meant for carols, hot cocoa, and the glow of a towering Christmas tree turned into chaos when gunfire erupted during Concord, North Carolina’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, November 21, 2025, at approximately 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Union Street South near Corban Avenue. Four teenagers were struck by bullets, all rushed to hospitals — two critically injured, one released, and one still fighting for life. What made it worse? This wasn’t random. It was personal. And it happened right in the middle of a tradition that brings the whole city together.
It Wasn’t Random — Just Brutally Personal
Concord Police Chief Jimmy Hughes didn’t mince words: "A night of celebration for our community was interrupted by senseless violence, affecting everyone who was there." But here’s the twist — the shooting wasn’t aimed at the crowd. It was a fight between people who knew each other. Two of the four victims? They were also the shooters. One was Nasir Ahmad Bostic, an 18-year-old Concord native who was shot multiple times and remains in critical condition. The other shooter? A juvenile, also critically wounded, still unnamed and under medical care.
That leaves the third suspect — Kevyn Rashaw Bostic, 17, who wasn’t shot but was arrested on suspicion of being an accessory after the fact. Police say he helped the shooters flee. His arrest came within hours, thanks to tips from bystanders who snapped photos and remembered license plates. "The public saved lives today," Chief Hughes said. "They didn’t just run — they helped."
The Scene: Ice Cream Shops and Screaming Families
Imagine this: the tree lights flicker on. A child laughs. Someone sings "Jingle Bells." Then — bang, bang, bang.
Witnesses described a scene of pure panic. Parents grabbed kids and bolted. Some dove behind cars. Others sprinted into the local ice cream shop on the corner of Union and Corban, locking doors behind them. One mother told WCNC she hid under a table with her two daughters, praying the shots would stop. The ceremony was canceled instantly. The lights stayed on — but the music didn’t play.
Police say the entire event lasted less than 90 seconds. But the damage? Lasting.
Two Victims, Two Shooters — And One Hospital Bed Waiting
The two non-shooter victims? Both 17. One was released after treatment. The other? Still in critical condition. Doctors are cautiously optimistic, but the family hasn’t spoken publicly. The same can’t be said for the shooters. Nasir Ahmad Bostic is alive — barely. He’s under heavy guard at the hospital. Police confirmed they’ll arrest him as soon as he’s stable enough to be moved. He’s facing charges of assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury with intent to kill and inciting a riot under North Carolina law.
And here’s the grim reality: both shooters were known to each other. They had history. Not gang ties. Not political motives. Just a volatile, escalating conflict that exploded in front of hundreds of families. "This is the kind of thing you hear about in other cities," said longtime resident Maria Lopez. "Not here. Not in Concord. Not on our Christmas night."
Christmas Parade Goes On — And That’s the Point
Mayor Bill Dush made a decision that surprised no one who knows this town: the 97th annual Christmas Parade would go on — just 24 hours later.
"We are a resilient community," he declared. "And we will not let the senseless actions of a few steal our joy."
And they didn’t. Thousands showed up Saturday afternoon. Kids waved lights. The band played. Santa waved from his sleigh. People cried — but they smiled too. "It gave the Christmas joy," one woman told WCNC. "It’s given what it needs to give."
The parade didn’t erase the pain. But it reminded everyone: this city won’t be broken by one night of violence.
What Happens Next?
Police are still gathering evidence. They’ve opened a public portal for videos and photos — concordpdnc.evidence.com — and say they’ve accounted for all parties involved. But questions linger: Why did this happen? Was there a warning? Did anyone see it coming?
Neighbors say the Bostic brothers — Nasir and Kevyn — were often seen together near the high school, sometimes arguing loudly. No prior arrests. No police record. Just a quiet tension that boiled over on the one night everyone was watching.
Meanwhile, the juvenile shooter remains in custody under medical supervision. His identity is protected, but sources say he’s from a nearby neighborhood and had been in a dispute with Nasir over a social media post days before the event.
Why This Matters Beyond Concord
This isn’t just a local tragedy. It’s a mirror. Communities across America host holiday events like Concord’s — safe, festive, family-centered. But what happens when violence slips into those spaces? When the line between private conflict and public chaos vanishes?
Concord’s response — immediate police action, public cooperation, and defiant celebration — could be a model. Or a warning. Either way, the message is clear: healing doesn’t mean forgetting. It means showing up, even when it hurts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the three suspects in the Concord Christmas shooting?
The suspects are 18-year-old Nasir Ahmad Bostic, who was shot and remains hospitalized with critical injuries and faces charges of assault with intent to kill and inciting a riot; an unidentified juvenile male shooter, also critically injured; and 17-year-old Kevyn Rashaw Bostic, charged as an accessory after the fact. He was apprehended without injury and is in police custody.
Was the shooting random, or was it targeted?
Concord Police confirmed it was not random. The incident stemmed from a personal conflict between individuals who knew each other — specifically between Nasir Ahmad Bostic and the juvenile shooter. The other two victims were bystanders caught in the crossfire, not targets.
Why did the Christmas parade still happen after the shooting?
Mayor Bill Dush made a deliberate choice to hold the 97th annual parade as scheduled, saying the community would not let violence steal its holiday spirit. Thousands attended, and many described it as an act of collective healing — a way to reclaim safety and joy in the face of trauma.
How did the public help solve the case so quickly?
Dozens of bystanders uploaded photos and videos to the Concord Police evidence portal within hours. One citizen recognized Kevyn Rashaw Bostic from social media and reported his location. Others recalled license plates of vehicles seen fleeing. These tips directly led to the arrest of the third suspect and confirmed the identities of the shooters.
What charges is Nasir Ahmad Bostic facing?
Nasir Ahmad Bostic is facing two felony charges: 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). Police plan to serve the arrest warrant as soon as he’s medically stable enough to be transferred from the hospital to custody.
Is there a risk of more violence in Concord following this incident?
Police say they’ve accounted for all parties involved and have no intelligence suggesting further threats. But they’ve increased patrols in downtown Concord through the holiday season and are working with schools and community centers to offer counseling. The city’s priority is preventing retaliation — and preserving the peace they’ve fought so hard to rebuild.
Johnathan Woodard
I'm Johnathan Woodard, a lifelong enthusiast of technology. I'm passionate about exploring new technologies and finding ways to leverage them in my day-to-day activities. I'm always looking for new ways to stay ahead of the curve and stay up to date with the latest developments in the tech world.