A Texas man used a gun to commit suicide in the infield of a National Rifle Association-sponsored NASCAR race at the Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth this past weekend.
Kirk Franklin, 42, of Saginaw, died after shooting himself at approximately 10:30 p.m. on April 13 during the NRA Sprint Cup race according to a Tarrant County Medical Examiner according to the Associated Press.
Franklin was involved in a verbal spat with several people in the crowd before the incident took place.
His body was found in the back seat of a truck according to Fort Worth Police Department Spokesman Daniel Segura.
"The NRA's sponsorship of the event at Texas Motor Speedway fit within existing parameters that NASCAR affords tracks in securing partnerships," NASCAR said in a press statement. "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."
Alcohol could have been a factor, but police have yet to confirm that to the press. Several people saw the incident occur, but nobody else was in any danger according to Segura according to the Associated Press.
Police blocked the area where the shooting took place, and investigators were seen by several people taking photographs and examining the vehicle.
The NRA has been in the news virtually every day since the mass school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. Over 20 children and six teachers were shot to death at Sandy Hook Elementary School on Dec. 14, 2012. Since then several smaller school shootings have taken place, causing the Obama Administration to re-evaluate gun control policies in the U.S.
The NRA believes we don't need to change anything regarding the way guns are purchased in the U.S., but the NASCAR shooting certainly doesn't help their case seem valid.
Racing veteran Kyle Busch won the NASCAR race later on in the day.
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