HOLT, Mo. — A reporter for KSHB-TV in Kansas City was struck by a piece of shrapnel at a gun range Tuesday afternoon during a campaign event for Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Lucas Kunce.
Reporter Ryan Gamboa suffered a minor injury to his arm at the event, held at a gun range outside of Kansas City and attended by Kunce, former Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger and around a dozen union members.
According to Kunce's campaign, a piece of shrapnel ricocheted off a metal target and "nicked" Gamboa's arm. Photos provided by the Kunce's campaign showed the 13-year Marine veteran, still-clad in safety goggles, applying first aid and bandaging the reporter's bleeding arm.
KSHB reported that Gamboa was checked out at a nearby hospital after the event and was released.
Kunce's campaign released an audio recording of the candidate speaking with a group after the incident.
“Always have your first aid kit handy," Kunce said. "You never know what’s going to happen. Shrapnel can always bounce off of anything and come back and nick somebody, and you’ve got to be ready for that, you've got to be ready to go. We had four first aid kits here, and I’m pretty proud of that. We were able to take care of the situation.
"I hope you're arm's feeling better, brother," Kunce added, speaking to Gamboa. "We'll have to get you to sling around downrange here and maybe blow up a Coke bottle, huh?"
Kunce's Republican opponent, incumbent U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, ran with the news on X. One post stated, "My grandma is a better shot than Lucas Kunce."
Kunce was firing an AR-15-style weapon when Gamboa was struck, KSHB reported.
According to Kunce's campaign, the range is owned by a United Auto Workers Local 249 retiree and is managed by a UAW member and National Rifle Association training counselor.