Seasoned actor, Alec Baldwin has accidentally killed a cinematographer and injured a director during a tragic accident when a prop gun discharged on the New Mexico movie set of the film “Rust”.
Sadly, the Director of Photography Halyna Hutchins was confrimed dead shortly after being transported to a hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Thursday after gun shot wounds to the stomach.
The man injured has been confirmed to be the director of the film, Joel Souza, who is said to have been hit in the shoulder.
A spokesperson for Baldwin confirmed that there was an accident on the set involving the misfire of a prop gun with blanks.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reported that 63-year-old Baldwin was seen on Thursday October 21 outside the sheriff’s office in tears, but attempts to get comment from him were unsuccessful.
Police have confirmed lead actor Alec Baldwin was the one who fired the prop gun. Santa Fe Sheriff’s department said in a statement:
“Santa Fe County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the Bonanza Creek Ranch movie set of the western “Rust”, October 21, 2021, when an 911 caller reported a shooting on the set.
“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 a prop firearm was discharged by Alec Baldwin, 63, producer and actor.
“Ms Hutchins was transported, via helicopter, to University of New Mexico Hospital where she was pronounced dead by medical personnel.
“Mr Souza was transported by ambulance to Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Centre where he is undergoing treatment for his injuries.
“This investigation remains open and active. No charges have been filed in regard to this incident. Witnesses continue to be interviewed by detectives.”
Police confirmed Baldwin had been interviewed by investigators and released. No charges have been filed.
Production on the movie has been halted and a spokesperson for Rust Movies Productions LLC released a statement offering condolences to Halyna’s family.
A statement released by the production company read;
“The entire cast and crew has been absolutely devastated by today’s tragedy, and we send our deepest condolences to Halyna’s family and loved ones.
“We have halted production on the film for an undetermined period of time and are fully cooperating with the Santa Fe Police Department’s investigation.
“We will be providing counseling services to everyone connected to the film as we work to process this awful event.”
The International Cinematographers Guild have also confirmed that the woman fatally shot was Ms Hutchins, a cinematographer. “The details are unclear at this moment, but we are working to learn more, and we support a full investigation into this tragic event,” guild president John Lindley and executive director Rebecca Rhine said in a statement.
Ms Hutchins, 42, was director of photography on the 2020 action film Archenemy, starring Joe Manganiello. A 2015 graduate of the American Film Institute, she was named a “rising star” by American Cinematographer in 2019.
Rust is a movie which was written and directed by Joel, while Alec is co-producer as well as the lead star. Travis Fimmel, Brady Noon, Frances Fisher and Jensen Ackles also star. It follows Alec’s character, the infamous outlaw Rust whose 13-year-old grandson is found guilty of an accidental murder.
