The Democratic challenger trying to take Republican Josh Hawley’s Missouri Senate seat was roasted online after he hit a reporter covering the campaign event with shrapnel from an AR-15.
Democrat Lucas Kunce was firing off rounds with former Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger, who now supports liberals, at a private range he held the campaign event at in Holt, Missouri on Tuesday.
A bullet fragment from Kunce’s weapon ended up ricocheting off a too close target and into KSHB-TV reporter Ryan Gamboa’s arm.
Kunce, a former marine, stopped to administer first aide to the the reporter’s bloody arm, which he boasted about on social media.
Great day at the range today with my friend @AdamKinzinger. 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… pic.twitter.com/Qu4YxfrtrU
— Lucas Kunce (@LucasKunceMO) October 23, 2024
He wrapped Gamboa’s arm in gauze to staunch the bleeding, and medical tape was used to secure the bandage.
“Great day at the range today with my friend Adam Kinzinger,” Kunce tweeted. “We got to hang out with some union workers while exercising our freedom.”
“Always have your first aid kit handy,” noted in the post.
.@LucasKunceMO and @AdamKinzinger at the range: https://t.co/JKtmzArwYQ pic.twitter.com/Lwdqhg44BJ
— Prison Mitch (@MidnightMitch) October 23, 2024
“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.”
Kunce’s post was met with fierce criticism, for trying to spin an injury he caused with improper gun safety into a PSA about preparedness.
My grandma is a better shot than Lucas Kunce pic.twitter.com/rSjnBTlWeh
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) October 23, 2024
“Great day at the range”? Bro, you literally shot someone,” snapped conservative journalist Nick Sortor.
“You could’ve killed somebody today, you freaking moron,” another critic fired off. “What kind of a brain dead idiot shoots steel inside 10 yards with a rifle?”
Someone else blasted Kunce for all of the flagrant safety violations during his excursion at the range.
“Why did you put a tourniquet on a grazing flesh wound?” they questioned. “Why are people wearing their eye protection on top of their head?”
“Why are you firing .223 rounds at metal targets 20 feet away? Asking for a few million friends…” the post concluded.
Sen. Josh Hawley had a field day taking Kunce to task on social media over the failed campaign stunt.
When liberals play with guns, people get hurt 🤡 pic.twitter.com/wb2Jte3pIf
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) October 23, 2024
“When liberals play with guns, people get hurt,” he tweeted, capping off the post with a clown emoji.
“I know the Kunce campaign needed a shot in the arm, but this is taking it a little far,” he added.
After being treated on the scene, Gamboa stayed at the range to keep reporting.
At one point he could be seen interviewing both Kunce and Kinzinger with blood on his shirt.
After doing his job, Gamboa was examined at a local hospital after the event.
He reported that his injuries were minor and he was released from the hospital the same day.
Sen. Hawley asked the question on everyone’s minds: “Will the reporter Kunce shot be pressing charges?”
“I condemn all acts of violence against reporters and call on Kunce never to shoot another one,” Hawley tweeted along with laughing emojis.