A WCNC Charlotte photographer heard the shots, and saw emergency crews respond to the scene.
CONCORD, N.C. — Gunshots rang out Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, during the Christmas tree lighting in downtown Concord, sending four people to the hospital.
A WCNC Charlotte photojournalist was filming the event when he reported shots were fired around 7:40 p.m. The incident caused a disruption to the event, with officers setting up crime scene tape shortly after.
Emergency crews were seen as well, with at least one crew appearing to tend to a person’s injuries.
Brett Ford is a balloon artist who was set up at the lighting. He said people ran after the gunshots were fired.
“We had a line of probably 250-300 people, and then all of a sudden, you heard what you thought was fireworks, but it’s about 40 minutes early for the fireworks,” Ford said. “And then all panic broke loose. Everybody scattered, everybody started running, people were falling down.”
Longtime Concord resident Teresa Harris said she was angry after having to hide in a pizzeria’s bathroom, saying a festive event was ruined by what unfolded.
“Everybody’s traumatized!” she exclaimed. “People are on the floor in the restaurant, they’re crying. Children are shaking, parents are hoovering over their children. This is ridiculous. This is not something that you want to experience, especially at a family event.”
Donna Leatherman Cooke said the event was wonderful well before the shooting.
“It just became chaotic,” she said. “Everybody was running in different directions. At that point, it was hard to organize the situation.”
“There’s no room for violence in our world,” she added.
It is not known as of publication what preceded the shooting.Â
Concord Police later provided more information, confirming that four people were shot. Three of the victims were taken to a hospital in critical condition, while the fourth is stable. However, it’s still not known what led up to the shooting.
The city government later confirmed the shooting happened around 7:30 p.m. and said the remainder of the event was canceled. Visitors were asked to leave the area, with drivers asked to seek alternate routes.Â
Anyone with information is asked to call the police at (704) 920-5027 or share information online. Officers are reviewing video footage from the event and talking to multiple witnesses.
This article will be updated as new details are shared.
Police, Concord Fire and Cabarrus County EMS were already at the event and provided immediate aid and evacuation assistance.