4 injured in shooting at North Carolina tree lighting ceremony

Police are investigating after four people were injured in a shooting at an annual tree lighting ceremony in Concord, North Carolina, on Friday night

Police are investigating after four people were injured in a shooting at an annual tree lighting ceremony in Concord, North Carolina, on Friday night.

The shooting broke out around 7:30 p.m. during the ceremony on Union Street S, about 30 miles northeast of Charlotte, according to the Concord Police Department. The incident was not a random act of violence and was between two suspects “who are known to each other,” police said. Police did not share a motive for the shooting.

“Concord Police, Concord Fire, and Cabarrus County EMS personnel were already at the event and responded immediately, providing medical aid and evacuating attendees,” police said in a news release.

Video from the scene prior to the shooting showed hundreds of people along Union Street enjoying a live music performance and artificial snow. Panic quickly ensued after gunshots were heard, with people running away from the scene as sirens could be heard in the background.

At least four people were injured in the shooting, three critically, and all were taken to a hospital, police said. Two 17-year-old victims, including one who was critically injured, have since been released from the hospital.