In Missouri, a television reporter was injured by a stray bullet fragment at a shooting range campaign event hosted by Democratic US Senate candidate Lucas Kunce at his private residence. The event was also attended by former Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger, and attendees were firing at targets in Kunce’s backyard. Ryan Gamboa, a reporter for KSHB-TV, was grazed by a fragment that bounced off a shooting target and began bleeding from his arm. Kunce, the only person firing at the time, quickly came to Gamboa’s aid by using his belt to stop the bleeding and wrapping gauze around the injury.
Kunce, who is a veteran with 13 years of service in the Marines, replaced the gauze with medical tape before Gamboa was taken to a nearby hospital for a precautionary check-up. The incident occurred just two weeks before Election Day, where Kunce is challenging incumbent Republican Sen. Josh Hawley. Kunce has focused on his military background throughout his campaign, often appearing in TV ads with a gun. Despite this, Kunce has been polling behind Hawley, with 40% support reported in recent polls conducted by Emerson College Polling and The Hill.
The Kunce and Hawley campaigns have not yet commented on the incident. With the election drawing near, the focus on Kunce’s military service and gun use may sway voters in his favor. However, the incident at the shooting range campaign event where a reporter was injured by a stray bullet fragment could potentially have negative consequences for Kunce’s campaign. The safety protocols and precautions taken at such events will likely come under scrutiny, and Kunce may need to address concerns about the handling of firearms during campaign activities.
The injured reporter, Ryan Gamboa, is expected to recover from his injuries, but the incident serves as a reminder of the risks associated with shooting range events, particularly in a campaign setting. Kunce’s quick response to aid Gamboa and his emphasis on military service could help to mitigate any potential backlash from the incident. However, the outcome of the election remains uncertain, with Kunce trailing in the polls and facing a tough opponent in Sen. Hawley. The incident at the shooting range campaign event has added a new dimension to the Senate race in Missouri, with both candidates now under increased scrutiny as Election Day approaches.
