A Democratic U.S. Senate candidate from Missouri is not being charged after a reporter sustained a minor injury from stray metal while covering a shooting range campaign event.
The incident occurred on October 22 during the event for Democratic candidate Lucas Kunce at a private shooting range about 30 miles northeast of Kansas City, Missouri.
However, during the event, which appeared to be aimed at garnering support for Kunce among gun owners, a KSHB-TV reporter felt a pinch and later noticed he was bleeding.
Despite the incident, the reporter, Ryan Gamboa, continued covering the event after being bandaged by Kunce and was then treated for a minor injury at a hospital.
Clinton County Sheriff Larry Fish said Monday that Kunce or other participants did not have any “ill intent,” so no charges were filed against the candidate.
In addition, following a hospital check, the reporter declined to pursue charges, calling it a “freak accident.”
Fish also confirmed that the origin of the shot resulting in the injury remains unknown, adding that he observed a 10-yard distance between the shooters and the steel targets. The reporter stood a similar distance back.
U.S. Senate candidate Lucas Kunce (R) applies first aid to reporter Ryan Gamboa after Gamboa was injured by a stray piece of metal at a shooting range in in Holt, Missouri, on October 22. Kunce is not being charged in the incident.
(Dominick Williams/The Kansas City Star/ AP
What Has Kunce Said?
Kunce defended the event’s safety, highlighting its importance, stating, “which is why the range was set up and run by an NRA Training Counselor.”
“But any time you are handling weapons, you need to be prepared,” he said. “We acted quickly, and I’m glad the reporter was okay and able to keep reporting.”
Missouri’s Political Landscape
The shooting event, which also featured a former Republican U.S. congressman who is backing Kunce’s bid to unseat Republican U.S. Senator Josh Hawley, aimed to draw in moderate and Republican voters, a key audience in Missouri’s political landscape amid the senate race, including a strong belief in gun rights.
Meanwhile, the incident has drawn heated remarks from Kunce’s opponent, Hawley, who took the opportunity to comment on the candidate’s approach. Hawley said at a rally last week that Kunce’s campaign has long needed “a shot in the arm” but that “he’s taken it too literally.”
Hawley criticized the Kunce event as unsafe, questioning the safety measures in place and promising reporters, “I will not shoot you, no matter the tough questions.”
“I know we’ve got some reporters here today. I just want to say to you guys: Listen, I promise you I will not shoot you—no matter how many tough questions you ask,” Hawley told journalists covering his rally. “And I call on Lucas Kunce right now to pledge never to shoot another reporter again.”
The incident remains under local scrutiny as both parties continue to spar in what is expected to be a closely watched race.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
