4 injured in shooting near Christmas tree lighting ceremony in North Carolina

The annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony in Concord, North Carolina, took a dark turn when gunfire erupted in the crowd, leaving four people injured. The incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. on Union Street near Corbin Avenue, just steps away from the center of the event, according to Concord Police Maj. Patrick Tierney.

Police revealed that the shooting involved two suspects who were acquainted with each other. One of the shooters was identified as 18-year-old Nasir Ahmad Bostic, who was critically injured during the altercation. Bostic, upon release from the hospital, will face multiple charges, including assault with a deadly weapon.

The second suspected shooter, a juvenile whose identity remains undisclosed, was also shot and is currently in critical condition in the hospital. Similar to Bostic, this suspect will be charged with assault with a deadly weapon.

Additionally, a 17-year-old was identified as a third suspect and is facing charges of accessory after the fact and inciting a riot. Remarkably, this individual was unharmed during the shooting.

First responders from Concord Police, Concord Fire, and Cabarrus County EMS were on-site for the ceremony and promptly attended to the victims. Four individuals with gunshot wounds were transported to the hospital, with three in critical condition and one in stable condition.

Authorities are actively reviewing event footage and conducting witness interviews to gather more information about the incident.

Despite the tragic events, the city of Concord remains resolute, with Mayor Bill Dusch affirming that the annual Christmas parade will proceed as planned the following day. Dusch emphasized the resilience of the community and expressed solidarity with families who may opt to stay home. Additional security measures will be implemented to ensure the safety of attendees.

Concord, a city with a population of approximately 105,000 residents, is situated about 25 miles northeast of downtown Charlotte. The community looks forward to coming together for the parade, a tradition that has provided comfort and unity for nearly a century.