On Friday, November 21, 2025, just as the final notes of a holiday dance performance echoed through downtown Concord, North Carolina, gunfire ripped through the crowd gathered for the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. Four people were struck — two of them the shooters themselves. What unfolded wasn’t chaos without cause, but a targeted explosion of violence between people who knew each other, turning a cherished community tradition into a scene of shock and fear. The Concord Police Department, under the leadership of Police Chief Jimmy Hughes, moved with startling speed, identifying all three suspects within 24 hours — a feat that stunned even seasoned investigators.
Not Random. Not Unintended.
"A night of celebration for our community was interrupted by senseless violence," Chief Hughes said, his voice heavy but steady in a press briefing held the next morning. "But this wasn’t random. It was between two suspects who are known to each other. We accounted for all parties involved." The statement was deliberate. In an era where mass shootings at public events often trigger nationwide panic, Concord officials were quick to dispel the assumption that this was a random act. The Tree Lighting Ceremony — a tradition dating back to 1928 — draws 5,000 to 7,000 people every year. Families, school groups, local businesses. It’s where the city turns on its lights, where kids hug Santa, where neighbors reconnect. For a moment, that warmth was shattered.
The Suspects: Two Shooters, One Mystery
The Nasir Ahmad Bostic, an 18-year-old Concord native, was found with critical gunshot wounds at the scene. He was also one of the shooters. Police confirmed he was armed and fired multiple rounds before collapsing. Warrants were issued 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 remains hospitalized, and authorities will serve the warrants once he’s medically cleared.
Then there’s the juvenile — a boy under 18, his name withheld by law. He too was shot critically, and police say he was also firing. The North Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice has filed petitions against him for the same assault charge, plus two counts of discharging a firearm into an occupied property — a rare and serious escalation in juvenile court.
And then there’s the third suspect. Confirmed by CBS 17 to be in custody, but still unnamed. No charges have been publicly filed. No details released. Was he a lookout? A third participant? A bystander caught in the crossfire who turned violent? The Concord Police Department won’t say. The investigation is active. The public is being asked to come forward with any footage, photos, or information.
The Victims: Four Lives, Two Worlds
The other two wounded were innocent. One, a 17-year-old, was treated and released. The other, also 17, remains in critical condition. Their names haven’t been released. They were watching the dance. Maybe they were holding their sibling’s hand. Maybe they were taking a photo of the tree. They didn’t know the shooters. They didn’t know the feud.
"I’m pretty shaken up about it," one attendee told CBS 17. "I’m kind of scared to come back for next year’s. I don’t know what’s going to happen..." That fear is the real wound here. Concord, a city of 105,240, recorded 12.3 violent crimes per 1,000 residents in 2024 — higher than the state average, but still considered relatively safe. This wasn’t just a shooting. It was a breach of trust. A violation of a sacred ritual.
Community Response: Quick Evacuation, Quiet Courage
What saved lives wasn’t just police response — it was the people. Business owners locked doors. Parents grabbed children. Strangers helped strangers to safety. Paramedics arrived in under four minutes. Chief Hughes made a point to thank them: "Downtown businesses, the public, first responders, and law enforcement — we were able to quickly evacuate, prevent additional injuries, and identify all suspects." The city didn’t cancel everything. The 97th annual Christmas parade went on as scheduled that same evening. Lights still twinkled. Carols still played. It was a quiet act of defiance — a message that fear wouldn’t win.
What’s Next: Legal Crossroads and Community Healing
Nasir Ahmad Bostic will face adult court. His case will be prosecuted under North Carolina’s aggravated assault statutes. The juvenile’s case will be heard in the state’s juvenile system, where records are sealed and rehabilitation is the goal — though the severity of the charges suggests a potential transfer to adult court down the line.
The third suspect’s identity remains the biggest open question. If he’s not a shooter, why was he arrested? Was he carrying a weapon? Did he encourage the violence? Did he try to stop it? The answer could change how the whole incident is understood.
The City of Concord — governed by Mayor Bill Dusch and headquartered at 37 North Union Street — is now facing a reckoning. How do you protect a public event that’s meant to bring people together? Do you add more police? More metal detectors? Or does that defeat the purpose of a holiday gathering?
Why This Matters
This isn’t just a Concord story. It’s a national one. Holiday events are supposed to be safe havens. When they’re not, it fractures the collective sense of security we cling to during the darkest time of year. The fact that the shooters were known to each other doesn’t make it less terrifying — it makes it more personal. It suggests that the roots of this violence were buried in private grudges, not public rage. And those are the hardest to predict.
Community leaders are already planning town halls. School counselors are being deployed. Local churches are opening their doors. But the hardest work — rebuilding trust — hasn’t even begun.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were two shooters also victims?
Gunfire in close quarters often results in shooters being struck by return fire or stray bullets. Both Nasir Ahmad Bostic and the juvenile suspect were armed and actively firing during the incident. In chaotic, high-intensity confrontations, it’s common for participants to be wounded by their own weapons or those of others. This doesn’t negate their criminal responsibility — it’s a grim reality of violent altercations.
What charges could the third suspect face if not directly involved in shooting?
Even without firing a weapon, the third suspect could be charged with aiding and abetting, conspiracy to commit assault, or inciting a riot under N.C.G.S. 14-288.2. Law enforcement has indicated they believe he played a role in escalating the confrontation. Evidence like surveillance footage, cell phone records, or witness testimony may show he encouraged the shooters or blocked escape routes.
How does this compare to other holiday event shootings in North Carolina?
This is the first fatal or mass-shooting incident at a public holiday event in North Carolina since the 2019 Christmas market disturbance in Greensboro, which involved a single suspect and no fatalities. Concord’s case is unusual because of the mutual violence between known individuals — not a lone actor targeting strangers. It reflects a growing pattern of localized, interpersonal violence spilling into public spaces, rather than ideologically motivated attacks.
Will the Tree Lighting Ceremony return next year?
City officials have already confirmed the event will return in 2026. But they’re working with the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit and local mental health organizations to develop new safety protocols — including trained volunteers in civilian clothing, expanded camera coverage, and community-led "safety ambassadors" — to restore public confidence without turning the event into a fortress.
Why hasn’t the juvenile’s name been released?
Under North Carolina law, juvenile records are sealed to protect minors’ futures, even in serious cases. The state’s juvenile justice system prioritizes rehabilitation over public shaming. However, if the juvenile is transferred to adult court — which is possible given the severity of the charges — his identity could become public. That decision will be made by a judge after a transfer hearing.
What’s being done to prevent future violence between youth in Concord?
The Concord Police Department is partnering with the Concord-Carroll County Schools and the North Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice to expand youth mediation programs and conflict resolution training in middle and high schools. A new initiative, "Choose Peace," will launch in January 2026, funded by a $150,000 state grant aimed at reducing gang-related and interpersonal violence among teens.