This is probably the last thing on Earth the NRA wanted to happen at their sponsored NASCAR event on Apr. 14. With the race winding down, a man in the track’s infield shot himself in the head after allegedly having an altercation with another spectator. Keep reading for more details.

How awful. On Apr. 14 at the NRA 500 Sprint Cup Series race in Fort Worth, Tex., 42-year-old Kirk Franklin shockingly shot and killed himself while in the racetrack’s infield. Kirk reportedly shot himself in the head after having an argument with several other spectators.

NASCAR Fan Commits Suicide At NRA 500

The Fort Worth Police said a man — later identified as Kirk Franklin — who had been camping in the infield at Texas Motor Speedway died of a “self-inflicted injury” after getting into an altercation with other campers. The incident happened late in the race, and police spokeswoman Tracey Knight said that alcohol may have been a factor.

Track spokesman Mike Zizzo stated that the incident happened “in or around a pickup truck” parked in the middle of the infield. There were many witnesses but no one else was harmed.

The Gun Debate Flares Up At The NRA 500

It’s a horrible thing to happen, especially in such a public place, but the National Rifle Association must be in a tailspin, as this is just the most recent public case of a gun-inflicted death in an overly long line of them.

The NRA has been in damage control ever since 20 children and six teachers were brutally shot and killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn on Dec. 14, 2012. This latest horrific incident is likely a worst case scenario for the conservative pro-gun lobbying association, which was making its first foray into NASCAR race sponsorship.

Giving an official statement for NASCAR on Apr. 14, a rep said that NASCAR will now take a closer look at how it approves race sponsors. “The NRA’s sponsorship of the event at Texas Motor Speedway fit within existing parameters that NASCAR affords tracks in securing partnerships,” NASCAR said. “However, this situation has made it clear that we need to take a closer look at our approval process moving forward, as current circumstances need to be factored in when making decisions.”

What a devastating disaster. What do you think, HollywoodLifers? Let us know below.

— Andrew Gruttadaro

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