Alec Baldwin accidentally shot and killed a cinematographer while leaving its director in critical condition on the set of his new film, Rust. Halyna Hutchins, a cinematographer, and Joel Souza, a film director, were both shot after a prop gun allegedly misfired.
Santa Fe County Sheriff Juan Rios revealed in a statement: “The sheriff’s office confirms that two individuals were shot on the set of Rust.”
“Halyna Hutchins, 42, director of photography, and Joel Souza, 48, director, were shot when Alec Baldwin, 63, producer and actor, discharged a prop firearm.”
According to cops, no charges have been filed, but the investigation is still ongoing as witnesses are being questioned.
After being questioned about the shooting, a sobbing Baldwin was seen doubled over in the parking lot of a police station. On the set of his new Western film, Rust, Alec was filming a scene in which he had to fire a gun that was supposed to be loaded with blanks.
However, the gun discharged either shrapnel or a bullet, striking two people on set, including director of photography Halyna Hutchins. Halyna was airlifted to the hospital, where she died as a result of her injuries.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, film director and writer Souza is still in critical condition.
The shooting occurred at Bonanza Creek Ranch, just outside of Santa Fe, New Mexico, in the middle of a scene that was either being rehearsed or filmed, with the incident possibly being captured on camera, according to officials.
According to Deadline, the TV and film star was “unaware” of the type of ammunition in the gun.
Due to today’s events, filming on Rust has been halted, according to a rep: “Production on Rust has been halted for the time being.” Our cast and crew’s safety remains our top priority.”
“According to investigators, it appears the scene being filmed involved the use of a prop firearm when it was discharged,” Santa Fe cops said.
“Detectives are looking into how and what type of projectile was used. “The incident is still being investigated.” Updates will be provided as new information becomes available.”
The Cinematographers Guild issued the following statement in response to today’s devastating news: “We received the devastating news this evening, that one of our members, Halyna Hutchins, the Director of Photography on a production called ‘Rust’ in New Mexico, died from injuries sustained on the set.”
“There was an accident today on the New Mexico set of Rust involving the misfire of a prop gun with blanks,” a spokesperson for the film previously stated in a statement. “Two crew members were taken to the hospital and are being treated.” Alec posed in character on the set in an Instagram post just hours before the violent mishap.
He was photographed in front of his trailer wearing dirty cowboy boots, a vest, and a bandana while holding a hat and looking tired.
“Back to in-person at the office,” Baldwin said. Oh my goodness…exhausting.”
Following the accident in New Mexico, a tweet from 2017 in which Baldwin criticized a southern California cop’s fatal shooting has resurfaced.
“I wonder how it must feel to wrongfully kill someone,” he said at the time.
Baldwin was referring to a Huntington Beach police officer who struggled with a young man in front of a 7-Eleven before drawing his gun and firing. Alec will appear in Rust alongside Travis Fimmel, Brady Noon, Frances Fisher, and Jensen Ackles.
April Wright, a writer, director, and producer, paid tribute to her on Facebook. “I’m in awe,” Wright wrote. “Young, vibrant, and talented. Such a lovely soul. “My heart goes out to her son and family.”
“I can’t believe this could happen in this day and age… gunfire from a prop gun could kill a crew member?” “This is a terrible tragedy,” said actor Joe Manganiello, who collaborated with Hutchins on the 2020 action film “Archenemy.”
