JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — There will be no charges filed against a Democratic U.S. Senate candidate in Missouri following an incident where a reporter sustained minor injuries from metal debris during a campaign event at a shooting range.

Clinton County Sheriff Larry Fish provided insights in a report released Monday, indicating that neither candidate Lucas Kunce nor the other participants demonstrated any malicious intent during the event held on October 22 at a private shooting range located approximately 30 miles northeast of Kansas City.

According to the police report, a reporter from KSHB-TV felt a sudden pinch and later discovered he was bleeding. After being treated with a bandage from Kunce, the reporter continued to cover the event and subsequently received medical attention for the minor injury at a nearby hospital. He chose not to pursue any legal action, referring to the incident as an unfortunate “freak” accident. The report also noted that it remains uncertain who was responsible for the errant shot that caused the injury.

The shooting event, which featured a former Republican congressman supporting Kunce’s campaign to challenge Republican U.S. Senator Josh Hawley, was intended to build support among gun owners, moderates, and Republicans in a state traditionally dominated by GOP ideals, including a strong advocacy for gun rights.

During a rally at a farm near Jefferson City last week, Senator Hawley commented on Kunce’s campaign, suggesting that it has “long needed a shot in the arm,” but emphasizing that the candidate literally took it too far by hosting such an event. Hawley took the opportunity to express concerns regarding safety at the Kunce event, stating that the distance between the shooters and steel targets was dangerously close. Fish measured the gap to be around 10 yards after the event, with the reporter positioned similarly at that distance from the shooters.

“I understand we have some reporters here today. I’d like to assure you that I will not shoot you, regardless of how challenging your questions may be,” Hawley jokingly stated to the journalists present at his rally. He then challenged Kunce to commit to refraining from shooting any journalists in the future.

In response to the incident, Kunce emphasized the importance of safety in their campaign, explaining that the shooting range was managed by a certified NRA Training Counselor.

“Whenever dealing with firearms, preparation is vital,” he remarked. “We responded promptly to the situation, and I’m relieved that the reporter is fine and able to keep reporting.”