A reporter from Missouri sustained minor injuries on Tuesday when metallic debris, ejected from a rifle fired by Democratic U.S. Senate hopeful Lucas Kunce during a campaign event, struck the journalist’s arm.

The incident occurred as Kunce, a former Marine, aimed an AR-15-style rifle at targets located at a suburban residence near Kansas City. Following the accident, Kunce rendered first aid to the injured reporter, who resumed coverage of the event. Subsequently, the journalist received treatment for the injury at a nearby hospital, as confirmed by the Kansas City television station.

Kunce shared on X, a social media platform previously known as Twitter, that there were four first aid kits available at the event, enabling them to manage the situation effectively. He expressed relief that the reporter was ultimately fine.

Kunce’s efforts are focused on challenging incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Josh Hawley in the upcoming election next month. The shooting event seemed strategically planned to resonate with moderate and Republican constituents in a state where the GOP has a stronghold, particularly concerning gun rights. Such events have increasingly become a common tactic among some Missouri Democratic candidates.

Currently, there are no Democrats holding statewide office in Missouri. Kunce’s opponent, Hawley, defeated former Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill in the 2018 elections.

On a national level, Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris has also publicly acknowledged her stance on firearms, sharing with Oprah Winfrey last month her ownership of a gun and willingness to defend her home from intruders.

Kunce later posted about his enjoyable day at the shooting range, which included former Illinois Congressman Adam Kinzinger, a Republican, and mentioned their interaction with union workers while advocating for their rights.

Hawley took a lighthearted approach to the situation, jokingly condemning violence against journalists and advising Kunce to refrain from shooting at reporters in the future, embellishing his message with laughing emojis on X.

This marks Kunce’s second attempt to secure a Senate seat; he previously lost the Democratic primary in 2022 to Trudy Busch Valentine, who went on to be defeated by the Republican Eric Schmitt in the general election.