Kunce notifies the sheriff of a campaign incident in which a reporter was injured

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Lucas Kunce has notified law enforcement of an incident at a campaign event Tuesday that left a KSHB 41 News reporter injured.

Clinton County, Missouri, Sheriff Larry Fish said in a statement to KSHB 41 News that Kunce notified officers of the incident on Wednesday.

Kunce hosted a campaign rally in Holt, Missouri, on Tuesday that focused on the Second Amendment.

As part of the event, Kunce was firing an AR-15-style weapon when KSHB 41 News reporter Ryan Gamboa was hit in the right arm by metal shards.

Gamboa suffered minor injuries from the rebound and was treated at a local hospital and released.

Kunce and former Illinois congressman Adam Kinzinger, who also attended the campaign event, helped bandage Gamboa's arm immediately after the punch.

“The incident involved a local news agency reporter who was allegedly struck in the arm by flying shrapnel while covering the shooting,” Sheriff Fish said in the statement. “Fortunately, the reporter only suffered minor injuries and later sought medical attention at a local hospital.”

The Kunce campaign released a statement Wednesday when asked about its involvement in the investigation.

“Lucas has notified local law enforcement,” a campaign spokesperson said in a statement to KSHB 41 News on Wednesday. “As soon as Lucas saw the injury, he immediately administered first aid using the field medical kits as he had learned to do in the Marine Corps. He’s glad the reporter is okay.”

Gamboa said he also made a statement as part of the investigation.

“This incident is currently under investigation and all indications at this time point to this being an unfortunate accident,” Fish said.

Gamboa continues to cooperate with law enforcement but does not plan to face charges in connection with the incident.

Kunce is campaigning to unseat incumbent Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Missouri). According to his campaign, Tuesday's event focused on “freedoms at the shooting range.”

“Safety is important to us, which is why the shooting range was set up and run by an NRA training consultant,” a campaign spokesperson said. “But whenever you handle weapons, you have to be prepared. We acted quickly and I’m glad the reporter was okay and was able to continue reporting.”

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