GoFundMe Created for Family of Teen Injured in Concord Tree Lighting Shooting
Campaign seeks $10,000 to help the family navigate recovery and sudden financial strain.
Nearly three weeks after the shooting that disrupted Concord’s annual Tree Lighting celebration, the family of a 17-year-old girl injured that night is now confronting an unexpected hardship: job loss as she continues to recover.
According to a GoFundMe campaign launched on Nov. 29, the mother of a 17-year-old girl injured during the Nov. 21 shooting was fired from her job after requesting several days off to care for her daughter and meet with detectives in the days that followed. The family says the termination came less than a month before Christmas.
“My niece was one of the victims shot in the Concord, NC tree lighting shooting. Thankfully, she is okay,” the organizer, Ashley Radford, wrote on the fundraising page. “However, my sister’s job fired her for asking for a few days off due to the mental challenges, detectives, and taking care of her 17-year-old daughter.”
Radford noted that her sister, who is not named in the fundraiser, had been employed by Family Dollar. Her niece, the 17-year-old who was shot, is also not identified.
As of Thursday morning, the GoFundMe had raised close to $3,000 toward its $10,000 goal.
The Nov. 21 shooting occurred around 7:30 p.m. near 2 Gals Kitchen, sending families running for cover during what is typically one of the city’s most festive community events.
Police have since arrested 18-year-old Nasir Ahmad Bostic, who was released from the hospital and taken into custody on Dec. 9. He is charged with assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury with intent to kill and inciting a riot.
Authorities also arrested 17-year-old Keyvyonn Rayshaund Bostic, who was not injured, and charged him as an adult with accessory after the fact and inciting a riot.
Two 17-year-old gunshot wound victims were also transported to the hospital.
Radford said the fundraiser aims to help the family manage both the financial strain and the emotional fallout of the shooting and its aftermath. “No family should have to go through this,” she wrote.
A few days after launching the campaign, Radford posted a Dec. 4 update thanking community members for what she described as overwhelming kindness.
“From the bottom of my heart, I am deeply grateful to each and every one of you who has reached out, visited, or generously donated,” Radford wrote. “It’s truly overwhelming to witness the outpouring of love and support during such a challenging time.”
“My niece and sister are courageously facing each day, and my niece is making progress in her healing journey,” she added. “Your prayers and thoughts mean the world to us, and we are so thankful for your unwavering support.”
To donate, visit the GoFundMe page at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/SUPPORTMYNIECECONCORDCHRISTMASTREELIGHTING.
Thank you for sharing this story. No one should lose their job due to a situation like this. I will definitely not be shopping at Family Dollar. I wish the family well and hope that the mother lands a job somewhere with a heart.