CONCORD, N.C. — Gunshots rang out Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, during the Christmas tree lighting in downtown Concord .

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,

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