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Lucas Kunce, a Democratic Senate candidate in Missouri, found himself embroiled in controversy following a campaign event at a shooting range that resulted in a reporter being injured. The incident, which occurred on October 22, saw KHSB-TV reporter Ryan Gamboa hit by a stray bullet fragment in his right arm.

According to a police report, Gamboa initially felt only a “pinch” before noticing blood soaking his shirt sleeve. Upon rolling up his sleeve, he discovered his arm was covered in blood and promptly alerted those nearby.

The event, which was also attended by Adam Kinzinger, quickly turned into a public relations challenge for Kunce’s campaign. Photos from the scene suggested that Kunce and others were firing long guns at an unsafe distance, and the presence of Tannerite on the table raised additional safety concerns.

Adding to the controversy, Kunce didn’t report the incident to the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office until the following day, October 23, despite having left the firing range at 4:15 p.m. CDT on the day of the event.

The incident provided material for Kunce’s opponent, incumbent Republican Sen. Josh Hawley, who used it to his advantage during a debate. Hawley remarked, “I will say that his incident last week (shooting someone) convinced me gun control might be needed for him.”

This unfortunate event has cast a shadow over Kunce’s campaign, with many viewing him as facing significant challenges in his bid to unseat Hawley. The incident has become a topic of discussion and has significantly impacted Kunce’s public image, potentially affecting his campaign in the Senate race.