The man who set up the shooting range at Democratic Missouri Senate candidate Lucas Kunce’s event when a bullet ricocheted off the target and hit the reporter was the man who set up the shooting range, according to messages seen in a private Facebook group. It was confirmed that the company appeared to have claimed to have ignored safety recommendations. According to the Daily Caller.
Chad Everett Downs, who claimed to have set up the shooting range and told reporters he lives across the street from the shooting range, commented on an article about the incident in a Facebook group. He said that although he was there, Kunce and the reporter did not listen when they were told where to stand during filming. Although Downs may not be allowed to possess a firearm due to his felon, he said it is common for him to be hit by shrapnel while shooting steel.
Downs was indicted in August on 17 counts of felony perjury, issued a criminal summons and waived a preliminary hearing, according to Missouri court records. According to Kansas City Star. “His ex-wife claimed in a court filing earlier this month that the man was possessing or obtaining guns in violation of bond conditions,” the newspaper reported.
When a user asked if Downs was the person in the photo with Kunsu and the KSHB reporter, Downs replied: Those men were told where to stand. They didn’t listen. Downs said that when you shoot a steel, “there’s always going to be splinters. I’ve probably been hit 250 times.”
He then got into an argument with another member of the Facebook group, saying: Well, the training seems pretty intense. You’re basically a Navy SEAL. ” (Related: ‘Could have killed someone’: Conservative blasts Democratic candidate who injured reporter with shrapnel during gun photo shoot)
“I just gave them a location to shoot. I told them what I thought and they did what they wanted,” Downs said. “Do you know anyone who died from small fragments??” (Related: Stray bullet hits TV reporter at Democratic Senate campaign event)
“[Y]Our scope is your responsibility. This is the worst cop I’ve ever seen in my life,” one Facebook user replied to him.
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In Kunse’s campaign, said“Safety is important to us, which is why our practice range is set up and operated by NRA Training Counselors.” Downs’ Facebook account lists him as an “NRA Training Counselor.”
The Daily Caller contacted Mr. Downs for an interview about the incident and his comments, but Mr. Downs said he would accept an interview for “$5,000 if you want to know what really happened.”
Downs also told the caller that he “took a video recording the exact distances and where everyone was standing.” However, he made no attempt to share the video with the caller.
