Missouri Democrat Senate candidate Lucas Kunce accidentally struck a reporter for a Kansas City television station with shrapnel during a campaign photo-op.
The incident happened at a gun range near Kansas City.
Kunce is running against Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO).
Former Illinois Congressman Adam Kinzinger joined Kunce at the campaign event.
“Great day at the range today with my friend @AdamKinzinger. We got to hang out with some union workers while exercising our freedom. Always have your first aid kit handy. Shrapnel can always fly when you hit a target like today, and you’ve got to be ready to go,” Kunce said.
“We had four first aid kits, so we were able to take care of the situation, and I’m glad Ryan is okay and was able to continue reporting,” he added.
Great day at the range today with my friend @AdamKinzinger. We got to hang out with some union workers while exercising our freedom. Always have your first aid kit handy. Shrapnel can always fly when you hit a target like today, and you’ve got to be ready to go. We had four first… pic.twitter.com/Qu4YxfrtrU
— Lucas Kunce (@LucasKunceMO) October 23, 2024
KSHB 41 reports:
A KSHB 41 News reporter was hit by a metal fragment Tuesday afternoon while covering a campaign event for Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Lucas Kunce.
Reporter Ryan Gamboa was covering the event at a private residence in Holt, Missouri — about 40 miles northeast of Kansas City — Tuesday afternoon when he was struck in the arm. It was unclear if he was struck by a bullet ricochet or another type of metal fragment.
Kunce was firing an AR-15-style weapon at the time that the reporter was struck.
Kunce was among those who provided treatment to Gamboa, wrapping a bandage around his arm.
🚨Just in: Missouri Democrat Senate Candidate Lucas Kunce accidentally shot a reporter at a photo-op event with Adam Kinzinger. The report was hit with a bullet fragment.
What is your response? pic.twitter.com/uZv51iSOvY
— The Calvin Coolidge Project (@TheCalvinCooli1) October 23, 2024
“’Great day at the range we shot a reporter but otherwise all good!’ What????” Abigail Jackson, Communications Director for Sen. Josh Hawley, commented.
“Great day at the range we shot a reporter but otherwise all good!” What???? https://t.co/HTT18xDU96
— Abigail Jackson 🇺🇸 (@abigailmarone) October 23, 2024
“I know the Kunce campaign needed a shot in the arm, but this is taking it a little far,” Hawley said.
I know the Kunce campaign needed a shot in the arm, but this is taking it a little far …
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) October 23, 2024
More reactions from the incident:
LOLOLOLOLOL
You people are pathetic https://t.co/Nsd7RZyGGr pic.twitter.com/8WZwihiX1G
— Firearms Policy Coalition (@gunpolicy) October 23, 2024
Everything about this photo is wild for people who actually shoot. https://t.co/UW8xwE1TKh pic.twitter.com/N3hpoJoCon
— Raymond Summerlin (@RMSummerlin) October 23, 2024
My guy… here’s just three of the infinite number of problems:
1) Why even have eye pro?
2) What are you trying to look at? Your target is maybe 3 meters away.
3) One ricochet off of that steel into that little bucket, and the Missouri Senate race is over before Nov 5th. https://t.co/3vwDxEr2ln pic.twitter.com/y7ow0h0ZqL— Jeremy Redfern (@JeremyRedfernFL) October 23, 2024
Hi, Veterans!
Let’s play a game. Name what you see wrong in this photo featuring @AdamKinzinger: https://t.co/9R3jstiENW pic.twitter.com/00VM5FPiPw
— Bree A Dail (@breeadail) October 23, 2024
Ok who thought this was a good post? Shooting an AR15 at a steel target, what 5-7 yards max with safety glasses protecting hair instead of eyes. So so many safety violations. These morons should never be allowed firearms again
This idiotic photo op could of seriously injured… https://t.co/4jvUNTP0Tr— Tracy G. 🇺🇸…. (@tracally66) October 23, 2024
Nothing to see here, folks—just White Dudes for Kamala breaking every gun safety rule in the book for a quick photo op. Oh, and casually ignoring the fact they just shot a reporter. No big deal. https://t.co/8XS1OjfEi0
— Meghan Reckling (@MeghanReckling) October 23, 2024
Per First Alert 4:
A reporter for a Kansas City television station was hit by a bullet fragment while he was covering a campaign event.
The incident happened at a gun range near Kansas City. US Senate candidate Lucas Kunce was at a gun range. A reporter from KSHB was struck by a bullet fragment that ricocheted off a metal target. Kunce helped tape up the reporter’s arm, his campaign said.
KSHB says the reporter was taken to a hospital with minor injuries. He was later released.
Kunce, a Democrat, is challenging incumbent Republican Josh Hawley.
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