Shooting during Democrat campaign event has left the political world stunned beyond belief

Democratic Senate candidate Lucas Kunce

Safety is a top concern for politicians, especially these days. But sometimes, threats slip through the cracks.

And a shooting during a Democrat campaign event has left the political world stunned beyond belief.

A Missouri shooting range event involving former GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger and Democratic Senate candidate Lucas Kunce took a dramatic turn when a reporter was struck by shrapnel.

The incident occurred while both politicians were at a private residence in Holt, Missouri, where they fired AR-15 rifles. KSHB 41 reporter Ryan Gamboa was injured when a bullet fragment ricocheted, hitting him in the arm and causing significant bleeding.

In a photo capturing the aftermath, Kunce can be seen helping Gamboa by applying a bandage, while Kinzinger stands nearby, looking concerned.

Gamboa’s sleeve and arm are visibly stained with blood. A Marine veteran and gun owner, Kunce was quick to provide care at the scene before Gamboa was taken to a hospital. His injuries were later confirmed as minor, and he was discharged shortly after.

Kunce, who is running to unseat Missouri’s Republican Senator Josh Hawley, found himself the subject of ridicule in the aftermath. Hawley wasted no time seizing the moment, posting a series of mocking messages on social media.

“I condemn all acts of violence against reporters and call on Kunce never to shoot another one,” Hawley wrote on X, followed by laughing emojis.

In another post, he quipped, “While Kunce was busy shooting at reporters, Erin and I were traveling the state,” along with a campaign video. Hawley continued with more jabs, posting a picture of his grandmother holding a rifle and claiming she was a better shot than Kunce. He even posed the question, “Will Kamala condemn the gun violence by Kunce and Kinzinger?”

Kunce, however, dismissed the incident with a post of his own on X, though the response from the public was less than favorable. “Great day at the range today with my friend @AdamKinzinger,” Kunce wrote.

“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.”

Not everyone found the humor in the situation. Former Rep. Peter Meijer, a fellow Republican who has shared criticism of former President Donald Trump alongside Kinzinger, condemned the event. “Photos before the incident look like Kunce was firing at a (presumably steel) target from well under 10 meters. What a stupid, reckless photo op,” Meijer commented.

The criticism didn’t stop there. Conservative influencers joined the fray, with Benny Johnson adding his voice to the mix. “Democrat politicians love Dick Cheney so much they’re now shooting random innocent people,” he posted, referencing Cheney’s infamous hunting incident, a comment which Hawley eagerly reposted. Johnson’s jab followed news that Cheney had endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president.

Sean Davis, CEO of The Federalist, went into further detail, pointing out various safety concerns based on the photos released from the event. Davis highlighted issues such as the targets being positioned too close, Kunce using a high-powered scope at a short distance, Kinzinger’s improper use of eye protection, and the presence of explosive tannerite powder near the firearms.

As Kunce tries to build momentum in his race against Hawley, he faces a significant uphill battle. A September Emerson-Hill poll shows Kunce trailing by 12 percentage points, with the incumbent senator holding a strong lead in the contest.

Stay tuned to The Federalist Wire.

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