No Charges Will Be Filed in Incident at Lucas Kunce Event

A freak accident at a Missouri Senate candidate’s campaign event has led to an investigation but no charges.

At a Glance

Reporter Ryan Gamboa was injured by a bullet fragment at Lucas Kunce’s shooting range event.
The sheriff’s investigation found no “ill intent” and no charges were filed.
The incident became a point of contention in the Senate race against Josh Hawley.
Gun experts criticized the event’s setup, citing safety concerns.

Incident at Kunce Campaign Event

On October 22, a campaign event for Missouri Democratic Senate candidate Lucas Kunce took an unexpected turn when KSHB-TV reporter Ryan Gamboa was injured by a bullet fragment. The incident occurred at a private shooting range near Kansas City, Missouri, where Kunce was holding an event aimed at garnering support from gun owners.

Gamboa reported feeling a pinch and noticing bleeding during the event. Kunce himself bandaged the reporter, who then continued to cover the event. Later, Gamboa sought treatment at a hospital for a minor injury and was advised to leave the metal fragment under his skin.

Lucas Kunce will not be charged for injuring reporter during campaign event | Click on the image to read the full story https://t.co/sGrPRtnlPf

— KMBC (@kmbc) October 31, 2024

Investigation and Findings

Following the incident, Clinton County Sheriff Larry Fish conducted an investigation into the matter. The findings revealed no evidence of malicious intent on the part of Kunce or other shooters present at the event. As a result, no charges were filed against the Senate candidate or anyone else involved.

Gamboa himself declined to press charges, describing the incident as a “freak” accident. The local prosecutor, after reviewing the case, also decided not to pursue any legal action. It remains unclear who fired the round that caused the injury, with reports noting a 10-yard distance between shooters and targets.

Campaign Event Details and Criticism

The shooting range event was organized by an NRA Training Counselor and featured a former Republican congressman supporting Kunce’s campaign against incumbent Republican Senator Josh Hawley. However, the incident sparked criticism from gun experts who questioned the safety of the event’s setup.

Experts argued that the metal targets were positioned too close for safe shooting with AR-15 rifles. The event reportedly featured “various weapons, from handguns to AR-15 rifles,” according to one attendee.

Political Fallout

The incident quickly became a point of contention in the closely watched Senate race between Kunce and Hawley. Senator Hawley seized on the opportunity to criticize his opponent, using the incident in a television ad and on social media to question Kunce’s judgment and commitment to safety.

“I know we’ve got some reporters here today. I just want to say to you guys: Listen, I promise you I will not shoot you—no matter how many tough questions you ask,” Hawley said.

Kunce, for his part, expressed relief that the reporter was okay and emphasized the event’s intended safety measures. He later reported the incident to the sheriff’s office, cooperating fully with the investigation. The two candidates are scheduled for a televised debate on Missouri Nexstar stations, where this incident may well become a topic of discussion.

As the Senate race continues, this unusual incident serves as a reminder of the unexpected challenges that can arise on the campaign trail and the importance of stringent safety measures at all political events, especially those involving firearms.