Alec Baldwin’s toy pistol kills a cinematographer on set
On a film set in New Mexico, US actor Alec Baldwin shot a toy pistol, killing a cameraman and injuring the director, according to US law officials.
The event occurred on the set of “Rust,” in which Baldwin is starring as the lead in a 19th-century western about an unintentional killing.
The sheriff in Santa Fe claimed in a statement that Halyna Hutchins and Joel Souza “were shot when a prop pistol was discharged by Alec Baldwin.”
Hutchins, 42, was flown to the hospital by helicopter but died from her injuries, whilst Souza, 48, was evacuated by ambulance and is being treated.
“Detectives interrogated Mr. Baldwin,” Santa Fe sheriff’s spokesperson Juan Rios told AFP.
“He made remarks and responded to their inquiries.”
He came in on his own own and departed the premises after his interviews were over.
There have been no charges filed, and no arrests have been made.”
The Santa Fe New Mexican released photos of a distraught-looking Baldwin shot in the set’s parking lot after the incident.
According to the newspaper, a reporter saw the actor in tears after being questioned by detectives.
One photograph shows a man, presumed to be Baldwin, doubled over.
A spokesperson from the production told The Hollywood Reporter the “accident” involved the misfiring of a prop gun with blanks.
“The whole cast and crew has been profoundly heartbroken by today’s tragedy, and we extend our heartfelt sympathies to Halyna’s family and loved ones,” said a spokesman.
“We have paused filming for an unknown amount of time and are completely working with the Santa Fe Police Department’s inquiry.”
On Location
According to her website, Hutchins, who is located in Los Angeles, was named one of American Cinematographer’s Rising Stars of 2019.
She was born in Ukraine and raised on a Soviet military station near the Arctic Circle, according to the website.
The filming took place at the Bonanza Creek Ranch, a renowned production location for Hollywood filmmakers near Santa Fe.
Although most movie sets have strict restrictions regarding the usage of fake firearms, mishaps sometimes occur.
Brandon Lee, the son of martial arts superstar Bruce Lee, was shot and killed with a pistol that was meant to shoot blanks during the production of “The Crow.”
Brandon’s sister, Shannon Lee, took to Twitter to express her thoughts on the shooting.
“Our thoughts go out to Halyna Hutchins’ family, Joel Souza, and everyone involved in the event on ‘Rust,'” she said on Brandon Lee’s official Twitter page.
“On a movie set, no one should ever be murdered by a gun.”
Baldwin co-wrote and co-starred in the film as Harland Rust, an outlaw whose grandson is convicted of murder and who joins him on the run after the child is condemned to death.
The 63-year-old shared a photo on Instagram early Thursday that appeared to show him on set, dressed in a period costume and with fake blood on his shirt.
“It’s back to the workplace in person.”
Blimey…
it’s exhausting,” he captioned the picture, which went online several hours before the incident.
‘Heart breaking’
The International Cinematographers Guild’s John Lindley and Rebecca Rhine issued a joint statement calling Hutchins’ death “devastating.”
“At this time, the specifics are unclear, but we are striving to learn more, and we support a thorough inquiry into this sad occurrence.”
“This is a sad tragedy, and we grieve the death of a member of our Guild’s family,” Variety said in a statement.
Since the 1980s, Baldwin has been on television and in films.
He has appeared in a number of high-profile films, including “The Hunt for Red October” and two installments of the “Mission: Impossible” franchise, as well as voicing animated characters in successes such as “The Boss Baby.”
With his long-running depiction of Donald Trump on “Saturday Night Live,” a role that angered Trump but earned Baldwin a Primetime Emmy, he gained new admirers.
