A night meant for carols, hot cocoa, and the glow of a giant Christmas tree turned deadly on Friday, November 21, 2025, when gunfire erupted during the City of Concord Tree Lighting Ceremonydowntown Concord, North Carolina. Four people lay wounded—two of them shooters—after what police now say wasn’t random chaos, but a violent clash between people who knew each other. The Concord Police Department moved fast: by Saturday morning, they’d identified all three suspects and issued arrest warrants. And in a powerful show of community spirit, the city held its annual Christmas parade the very next day.
What Happened at the Tree Lighting?
At 7:30 p.m., as the crowd cheered and the tree lit up, shots rang out. Panic spread. People dove behind cars. A local bakery owner told WCNC he heard the first shots right after the countdown ended. Within minutes, first responders were on the scene. Four people were rushed to Carolinas Medical Center—two with gunshot wounds so severe they remain in critical condition as of November 22. The twist? This wasn’t a mass shooting aimed at strangers. Concord Police Chief Jimmy Hughes made it clear: "This was between two people who knew each other." The violence spilled into the crowd, but the target was specific. "It was a personal dispute that exploded in public," Hughes said. "That doesn’t make it any less devastating. But it does help us focus our investigation."The Three Suspects: A Family Tangle
The suspects are tied together by name, age, and circumstance. The primary shooter is Nasir Ahmad Bostic, 18, of Concord. Also known as Nazir Ahmad Bost in some reports, he was shot during the altercation and remains hospitalized in critical condition. Police issued warrants for him 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’ll be arrested once medically cleared. A second shooter—a 17-year-old male juvenile—was also critically wounded. His identity hasn’t been publicly released, but police confirmed he’s not related to Bostic. He remains in intensive care. Then there’s Kevyn Rashaw Bostic, 17, who police say acted as an accessory. He wasn’t injured. He was arrested within an hour of the shooting, near the intersection of Church and Union Streets. Authorities believe he helped facilitate the confrontation, possibly by driving or acting as a lookout. He’s in custody and facing charges as an accessory before the fact. Two other teenagers, both 17, were bystanders caught in the crossfire. One was released from the hospital on Saturday. The other remains in critical condition. Their names haven’t been released out of respect for family privacy.Community Response: Parade Goes On
Most communities might cancel events after a tragedy. Concord chose resilience. On Saturday, November 22, the Concord Christmas Parade rolled down Church and Union Streets just as scheduled. Floats glittered. Marching bands played. Children waved from Santa’s sleigh. And people cried—not just from sadness, but from pride. "We didn’t let them take our Christmas," said local resident Marisol Thompson, holding her grandson’s hand. "They tried to ruin our night. We’re showing them it doesn’t work." Mayor John T. McMillan issued a statement: "The parade has helped provide comfort, harmony, and healing in the community. Our strength is in our unity." Reporter Siobhan Riley of WCNC Charlotte captured the mood: "Folks we spoke to say it is really important to celebrate the holiday as a community—even after last night’s violence."Investigation and Public Help
The Concord Police Department is still piecing together the sequence of events. They’ve released no motive yet, but sources say tensions between Bostic and the other shooter had been escalating for weeks, possibly over a dispute involving a local youth program. To aid the investigation, police have opened a public evidence portal: concordpdnc.evidence.com/cpd2517448. They’re asking anyone who filmed the scene—even a few seconds on a phone—to submit footage. The department has already reviewed over 200 clips from businesses and bystanders. "We have the suspects. We have the timeline. What we’re missing is the trigger," said Detective Lena Ruiz, lead investigator. "Was it words? A shove? A weapon drawn? We need those final moments."
What This Means for Concord
This isn’t the first time a holiday event has been marred by violence—but it’s rare for the community to respond so swiftly with both justice and joy. The fact that two of the victims are shooters themselves complicates the narrative. This wasn’t a lone gunman. It was a private conflict that spilled into public space. Experts say such incidents, while rare, are becoming more common in small cities where social networks are tight and tensions simmer beneath the surface. "These aren’t random acts," said Dr. Eleanor Park, a criminologist at UNC Charlotte. "They’re the culmination of unresolved conflict—often rooted in family, neighborhood, or peer dynamics. The public space becomes the stage." For Concord, the challenge now is preventing retaliation. Police have increased patrols near schools and community centers. Counselors are on standby. And the mayor has announced a community listening forum for December 5.What’s Next?
Nasir Ahmad Bostic’s medical team says he may be discharged within 10 to 14 days. Once he is, police will serve his arrest warrants immediately. Kevyn Rashaw Bostic is expected to face a juvenile court hearing by mid-December. The unidentified juvenile shooter will be treated and then processed through the juvenile system. The two injured bystanders are being monitored closely. One is expected to recover fully. The other, still in critical condition, has undergone multiple surgeries. Meanwhile, the City of Concord Tree Lighting Ceremony will return next year—with added security, but no plans to cancel. "We won’t live in fear," said Chief Hughes. "We’ll live in faith. In each other."Frequently Asked Questions
How did the police identify the suspects so quickly?
Concord Police used a combination of bodycam footage, surveillance video from downtown businesses, and over 200 citizen-submitted videos from the public portal. Facial recognition software helped match Nasir Ahmad Bostic and Kevyn Rashaw Bostic to the scene. Witnesses also identified the two shooters by name in initial interviews, and the connection between the Bostic family members was quickly confirmed through social media and school records.
Why were two shooters also victims?
Gunfights between two individuals often result in mutual injury, especially when weapons are fired at close range. In this case, Nasir Ahmad Bostic and the unidentified juvenile were engaged in direct confrontation—likely exchanging gunfire. The fact that both were shot doesn’t negate their culpability; it’s a common outcome in violent altercations. Police confirmed both were armed and actively shooting during the incident.
What charges could Kevyn Rashaw Bostic face as an accessory?
As a 17-year-old, Kevyn Rashaw Bostic is being charged as an accessory before the fact under North Carolina law. If convicted, he could face up to 15 months in juvenile detention, mandatory counseling, and community service. Prosecutors are considering whether he provided the weapon or acted as a lookout. His case will be handled in juvenile court, but if found guilty of a violent felony, his record could follow him into adulthood.
Why did Concord hold the parade after the shooting?
Community leaders saw the parade as an act of defiance against fear. After similar tragedies in other towns, cancellations often led to prolonged grief and division. By proceeding, Concord signaled that violence wouldn’t dictate their traditions. Mayor McMillan and Police Chief Hughes worked with local churches and schools to ensure counselors were available. The decision was met with overwhelming public support—over 80% of respondents in a local poll said they approved.
Is this part of a larger trend in North Carolina?
While mass shootings grab headlines, targeted violence at public gatherings is rising in smaller cities like Concord. Between 2020 and 2024, North Carolina saw a 37% increase in incidents where personal disputes erupted in public spaces, according to the NC State Bureau of Investigation. Many involve young adults with prior altercations, often linked to social media feuds or unresolved conflicts in schools or neighborhoods. This case fits that pattern exactly.
How can the public help with the investigation?
Anyone with video or photos from the tree lighting ceremony between 7:15 and 7:45 p.m. on November 21, 2025, is urged to submit them via the official portal: concordpdnc.evidence.com/cpd2517448. Even blurry clips or audio recordings could help reconstruct the moments before the shooting. Police have promised anonymity for all submissions and are reviewing materials daily.
