In a devastating accident on set of the film Rust, Alec Baldwin fired a prop gun killing the director of photography and injuring the films director.
The Western was filming in New Mexico on Thursday when Baldwin discharged a prop gun and wounded DP Halyna Hutchins, age 42. Hutchins was transported to the hospital by helicopter and pronounced dead by medical processionals at the University of New Mexico Hospital.
Director Joel Souza, age 48, sustained injuries and was taken to Christus St. Vincent's Hospital by ambulance.
A spokesperson from Rust Movies Productions LLC said in a statement:
"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."
Hutchins was an up and coming cinematographer in the Hollywood industry.
Filmmaker and journalist Jim Hemphill, who featured her in a spread in 2019, told CNN:
"[Hutchins] was just in love with movies and movie-making."
"She grew up on a Soviet military base where there wasn't much to do but watch movies."
"So she fell in love with movies at a young age, came over here, was really making a name for herself as a cinematographer of genre movies."
"She was known for action films and horror films."
"It is just a devastating loss, I think, to everybody in the cinematography community."
No arrests or charges have been made so far, but the investigation is still considered open and active.
An official from the Santa Fe Police Department said:
"Mr. Baldwin was questioned by investigators and released."
"This investigation remains open and active."
"No charges have been filed in regard to this incident."
"Witnesses continue to be interviewed by detectives."
1-\nThere are no words to convey my shock and sadness regarding the tragic accident that took the life of Halyna Hutchins, a wife, mother and deeply admired colleague of ours. I'm fully cooperating with the police investigation to address how this tragedy occurred and— AlecBaldwin(HABF) (@AlecBaldwin(HABF)) 1634916818
2- I am in touch with her husband, offering my support to him and his family. My heart is broken for her husband, their son, and all who knew and loved Halyna.— AlecBaldwin(HABF) (@AlecBaldwin(HABF)) 1634917030
Normally, the first Assistant Director is responsible for set safety in partnership with the Props Master in charge of firearms. Sources said Baldwin was unaware of the type of ammunition in the prop gun.
Prop Master Joseph Fisher, who has worked with weapons in the military and with the NYPD, shared how even prop firearms can be dangerous or, if misused, fatal.
"Typical prop load will be about 25 to 50% of the gunpowder in an actual projectile load that would be used in a regular weapon."
He explained that gas, heat and air comes out of the fake weapon because gunpowder is present.
"Those can cause physical injury within 25 to 50 feet, depending on the load."
This wasn't the first time someone had been killed on a set because of prop weapon misuse.
Brandon Lee, son of action star Bruce Lee, was killed in 1993 on the set of The Crow when an actor fired a prop gun that was believed to have blanks.
Shannon Lee, Brandon's sister, tweeted from his memorial account their condolences for the Hutchins family.
Our hearts go out to the family of Halyna Hutchins and to Joel Souza and all involved in the incident on \u201cRust\u201d. No one should ever be killed by a gun on a film set. Period.— Brandon Bruce Lee (@Brandon Bruce Lee) 1634876116
Others have shared their condolences on Twitter to uplift the work of the late cinematographer.
I see more than enough pictures of Alec Baldwin, while y\u2019all should honor and post more pictures of the cinematographic Halyna Hutchins who lost her life today in such a tragic accident.\n\nRest in peace, Halyna! My deepest condolences to her family and loved ones.pic.twitter.com/obNvFWrxfF— Wirjil (@Wirjil) 1634883692
Halyna Hutchins last couple of posts showed how excited she was to be working on this Alec Baldwin western, and then it ends in tragedy. So sad #RIPpic.twitter.com/1ctrVQHUF5— Joshua Chenault (@Joshua Chenault) 1634871382
Rest in Peace Halyna Hutchins. \n\nThe cinematographer who died when Alec Baldwin fired a prop gun and wounded the director. \n\nYes, Alec Baldwin is trending. \n\nBut it\u2019s Halyna Hutchins who lost her life. \n\n#SayHerNamepic.twitter.com/8JmgHjckAg— Dr. Jennifer Cassidy (@Dr. Jennifer Cassidy) 1634888156
Haylna Hutchins death makes me extremely sad, no one should lose their life on a film set BC of something that could have been avoided with proper safety checks and procedure. Sending my thoughts, R.I.P— levi \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08 (@levi \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08) 1634894846
I just wanted to share some stills of Halyna Hutchins\u2019 work and take a moment to appreciate how ridiculously difficult it is to become a DOP in the film industry, especially as woman. we\u2019ve lost an incredible artist todaypic.twitter.com/xRfjxYGHes— kenny \u2661 (@kenny \u2661) 1634870722
I don't know a lot of Halyna Hutchins work. Not many of us do because she was just getting started. She had so much left to give. there was still a voice being developed, an incredible one. These stills are literally from the first few seconds of a film she shot called Mad Hatterpic.twitter.com/aOUqKFtVPp— Scout Tafoya (@Scout Tafoya) 1634872142
My greatest fear is that someone will be fatally hurt on one of my sets. I pray this will never happen. My heart goes out to all of those affected by the tragedy today on Rust, especially Halyna Hutchins & her family.— James Gunn (@James Gunn) 1634873487
Rest in Peace, Halyna Hutchins.pic.twitter.com/vDUvYeZQMW— Film Updates (@Film Updates) 1634880032
Our condolences go out to Hutchins' family and all those involved in the tragic incident.
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