CONCORD, N.C. (November 23, 2025) – What started as a festive kickoff to the holiday season in this Cabarrus County gem turned into a nightmare Friday night when gunfire erupted at Concord’s annual Christmas tree lighting, sending families scrambling and injuring four young people. Authorities say it wasn’t a random attack but a beef between known parties that spilled into the crowd. Three suspects – all teens – now face heavy charges as the community rallies with prayers and parades.
The shooting, just blocks from the Cabarrus County Courthouse in downtown Concord, about 20 miles northeast of Charlotte, disrupted the 28th annual event packed with Santa sightings, food trucks, and early fireworks vibes. As of Sunday morning, three victims remain in critical condition at area hospitals, while police hunt for more video evidence to lock down the case.
Timeline: How the Night Unfolded
- 5:00 p.m. – Event Kicks Off: Hundreds gather on Union Street South near Corbin Avenue for the free family bash. The lineup? Live music, “The Grinch” movie screening, and the big tree lighting at dusk. Concord Fire, police, and EMS are already on-site for crowd control – standard for these hometown hoedowns.
- 7:30 p.m. – Lights, Camera, Shots?: The tree glows up, cheers echo, and folks munch on holiday treats. But around 7:30, tensions brew between two groups who know each other from the streets. Witnesses later tell cops it felt like a personal grudge gone hot.
- 7:40 p.m. – Gunfire Erupts: Pop-pop-pop – at least a dozen shots ring out, mistaken at first for those fireworks (40 minutes early, y’all). Panic hits like a Carolina thunderstorm: Kids scream, parents scoop ’em up, balloon artists and pizza joint crowds dive for cover. Video from phones shows a sea of folks bolting, some tripping in the stampede. One dad hides his family in a restaurant bathroom, hearts pounding.
- 7:45 p.m. – First Responders Swarm: On-site crews from Concord PD, Fire Department, and Cabarrus EMS jump in zero-delay style – tourniquets, evacuations, the works. Crime scene tape goes up fast, blocking Union Street. Ambulances whisk four gunshot victims to Atrium Health Cabarrus: Two 17-year-olds (one’s home now, stable; the other’s fighting hard), plus two suspected shooters both clinging in critical care.
- 8:00 p.m. – Event Shut Down: Organizers kill the rest – no “Grinch,” no finale. Mayor Bill Dusch’s team blasts alerts: “Clear the area, folks. Safety first.” Social media lights up with shaky clips and “Pray for Concord” posts.
- 9:00 p.m. – Suspect ID’d, One Nabbed: Cops, piecing tips and footage, finger 17-year-old Keyvyonn Rayshaund Bostic as an accessory. He’s collared quick on the scene, no injuries, charged as an adult with accessory after the fact and inciting a riot. The other two shooters? Still laid up: 18-year-old Nasir Ahma Bostic (his cousin, per sources) and an unnamed juvenile, both critical from their own crossfire.
- Saturday, Nov. 22 – Charges Drop, Parade Rolls: Dawn brings warrants for Nasir (assault with deadly weapon intent to kill, inciting riot) and juvenile petitions (same, plus discharging into occupied spots). Neither’s walking free till docs say so. But Concord don’t fold: The 97th Christmas Parade marches at 2:30 p.m. with beefed-up security – K-9 units, extra patrols. Dusch tells the crowd, “We’re resilient as ever. This ain’t stealin’ our joy.”
- Sunday, Nov. 23 – Probe Heats Up: Three victims still critical. Police comb 100+ videos from bystanders. No motive spilled yet, but it’s clear: Targeted beef, not terror. Gov. Josh Stein chimes in from Raleigh: “Mayhem in a heartbeat – we gotta act on safety, not just talk.”
The Faces Behind the Chaos
This wasn’t some stranger danger – Concord PD Maj. Patrick Tierney laid it plain: “Two folks who knew each other let it pop off.” Nasir Bostic, 18, and the juvenile shooter traded lead, catching two innocent 17-year-olds in the mix. Keyvyonn, 17, allegedly egged it on and helped the getaway attempt. All locals, per court docs. Families are mum, but neighbors whisper of street ties gone sour.
Injuries hit hard: Bullet wounds to torsos, limbs – the works. “Senseless,” says Police Chief Jimmy Hughes. “A celebration night turned by a few bad calls. But our people? They banded together like family.”
Concord’s Heartbeat: From Fear to Fight Back
Y’all know Concord – that tight-knit spot where Friday nights mean high school ball and summer means lake days at Frank Liske Park. Witnesses like balloon twister Brett Ford recount the horror: “Line of 300 kids, then boom – fireworks? Nah, folks hittin’ the deck, cryin’.” Longtimer Teresa Harris, hunkered in that pizzeria: “Traumatized don’t cover it. Kids shakin’, parents hoverin’. Ridiculous at a family shindig.”
But Sunday’s sun rose on resolve. Rep. Mark Harris tweeted prayers for badges and victims. The parade? Packed, with purple ribbons for healing. Dusch nailed it: “Some stay home – we get it. But this parade? It’s been our glue for a century. Extra eyes on it, but we’re showin’ up.”
Gov. Stein’s call? “Lip service ain’t enough. Real moves for public safety.” Echoes the Queen City vibe – Charlotte’s just down I-85, and folks here lean on that big-sister strength.
What Now? Cops Need Your Eyes
Investigation’s full throttle: Reviewing body cams, dash cams, your iPhone reels. Got footage from Union Street? Drop it anonymous at ConcordPDNC.evidence.com or dial 704-920-5027. “Every clip counts,” Hughes says. No guns recovered yet, but they’re diggin’.
As Thanksgiving looms, Concord’s stitching back – potlucks, church circles, that unbreakable Southern grit. Stay safe out there, neighbors. This holiday? Let’s light trees, not fuses.
This is a developing story. Updates as Concord PD releases more. Tip line: 704-920-5027. Our thoughts with the families.