TV reporter injured by bullet fragment at Lucas Kunce campaign rally • Missouri Independent

A reporter for a Kansas City television station was hit by bullet fragments Tuesday while covering a campaign rally at the shooting range for Democrat Lucas Kunce.

Kunce, a Marine veteran hoping to unseat U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, administered first aid to KSHB reporter Ryan Gamboa after bullet fragments ricocheted off a target and hit him in the arm.

KSHB reports that Gamboa's injuries were minor and he was released from the hospital on Tuesday.

Kunce hosted an event at a shooting range near Kansas City with former U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger, an Illinois Republican. After the event, Kunce released a statement on social media reminding shooters to “always have their first aid kit handy.”

“Shrapnel can fly whenever you hit a target like today,” Kunce said, “and you have to be ready.” We had four first aid kits, so we were able to get the situation under control, and I'm glad that Ryan is doing well and was able to continue reporting.”

Hawley quickly mocked Kunce over the incident at the shooting range, jokingly posting on social media: “I condemn all acts of violence against reporters and urge Kunce to never shoot one again.”

He added: “I know the Kunce campaign needed a boost, but this is going a little too far.”

Kunce later responded by releasing video footage of Hawley fleeing a crowd of rioters after they broke into the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 and attempted to block the certification of the 2020 presidential election.

“Last time Josh Hawley saw a gun,” Kunce wrote, receiving a response from Hawley’s spokeswoman: “You just shot someone, relax.”

Every public poll of the race has shown Hawley in the lead, with most seeing the Republican ahead by double digits. And Missouri hasn't elected a Democrat to statewide office since 2018.

But Kunce has consistently outperformed Hawley, including last quarter when he reported raising $7.6 million, compared with about $4 million for Hawley and a supporting political action committee. But Hawley ended the quarter with more cash, ending September with $2.6 million for the campaign's home stretch, compared to $1.5 million for Kunce.