A reporter was struck by shrapnel during an event at a Missouri shooting range event hosting former GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger and Democratic Senate candidate Lucas Kunce.
Kinzinger was campaigning alongside Kunce at a private residence in Holt, Missouri, where the two shot AR-15s. While Kunce was shooting at targets, KSHB 41 Reporter Ryan Gamboa was struck in the arm by a ricocheted bullet fragment, causing significant bleeding.
A photo of the incident showed Kunce helping to apply a bandage, with part of the reporter’s sleeve and arm covered in blood. Kinzinger stood to the side with a concerned look.
Kunce, a Marine veteran and gun owner, helped care for the reporter’s wounds at the scene. According to KSHB 41, Gamboa was taken to a hospital, where his injuries were found to be minor. He was discharged shortly after.
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO), whom Kunce is aiming to unseat, was quick to seize on the opportunity, putting out a slew of posts mocking his rival.
“I condemn all acts of violence against reporters and call on Kunce never to shoot another one,” he said in a post on X, alongside laughing emojis.
“While Kunce was busy shooting at reporters, Erin and I were traveling the state,” he said in a post on X, alongside a video of a campaign event.
In other posts, the GOP senator posted a photo of his grandma carrying a rifle, saying that she was a better shot than Kunce. In another, he asked, “Will Kamala condemn the gun violence by Kunce and Kinzinger?”
Kunce brushed off the accident in a post on X, garnering a decidedly negative reception.
“Great day at the range today with my friend @AdamKinzinger,” the Democrat posted. “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 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.”
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
Former Rep. Peter Meijer, a Republican who has been critical of former President Donald Trump like Kinzinger, issued a harsh condemnation of the event.
“Photos before incident look like Kunce was firing at a (presumably steel) target from well under 10 meters. What a stupid, reckless photo op,” he said.
Other conservative activists mocked the event as well, including influencer Benny Johnson.
“Democrat politicians love Dick Cheney so much they’re now shooting random innocent people,” he said in a post that was reposted by Hawley. Cheney has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president.
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Federalist CEO Sean Davis outlined a multitude of problems with the photos released by Kunce, including the targets being too close, the use of a high-powered scope for a close target, Kinzinger improperly using eye protection, and the presence of explosive tannerite powder on the table with the firearms.
Kunce is significantly trailing Hawley in the polls, with a September Emerson-Hill poll giving the incumbent a 12 percentage point lead.
