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Concord shooting: Shots fired at Christmas tree lighting in NC; 'people were running, falling down'
Gunshots were fired at the downtown Concord Christmas tree lighting in North Carolina on Friday.
UPDATE: At least four people were shot Friday during the Christmas tree lighting in Concord, North Carolina, according to the Concord Police Department. Three of the victims sustained serious injuries, while one is in stable condition.
Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the Concord Police Department at 704-920-5027.
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ORIGINAL STORY: Gunshots were fired at the downtown Concord Christmas tree lighting in North Carolina on Friday, WCNC Charlotte reported.
Brett Ford, a balloon artist, described the chaos.
"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 told the outlet. "And then all panic broke loose. Everybody scattered, everybody started running, people were falling down."
Longtime Concord resident Teresa said she had to hide in a pizzeria's bathroom.
"Everybody's traumatized! 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," she told the outlet.
Marquis Jenkins, a Concord resident, told WRAL, "I thought the fireworks went off. My daughter thought the fireworks went off, and here it was 78 rounds of gunshots."
What we know so far
WCNC Charlotte reported that shots were fired around 7:30 p.m., prompting officers to secure the area. Police were seen putting up crime-scene tape shortly after the incident.
The City of Concord later confirmed the shooting and announced that the remainder of the event was canceled. Visitors were instructed to leave the area.
As of now, no information has been released about potential injuries.
Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact Concord police at (704) 920-5027.
