Los Angeles: Police are investigating a fatal shooting with a prop gun fired by actor Alec baldwin Saturday on a film set was concentrating on the specialist in charge of the weapon and the assistant director handing it over to Baldwin.
Ukraine-born cinematographer Halina Hutchins, 42, suffered a chest injury and died shortly after Thursday’s incident in New Mexico, while director Joel Souza, 48, who was standing behind him as they lined up a shot, was injured and hospitalized, then released.
Police interviewed an apparently distraught Baldwin, who volunteered to cooperate, but made no charges.
The incident stunned many in Hollywood and beyond, prompting intense speculation about how such an accident on the set of the 19th-century western “Rust”, despite elaborate gun-safety protocols for the film set. can.
According to the affidavit submitted by the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office to obtain the search warrant, the gun, which was to be loaded with a blank charge, was instead a live round. The affidavit was seen by AFP.
It said assistant director Dave Halls, who was identified as the person who handed the gun to Baldwin during rehearsals, called the “cold gun” because he did it—the industry code to indicate the weapon was just a blank charge.
“The assistant director (Dave Hall) did not know the live rounds were in the prop-gun” when he delivered it to Baldwin, the affidavit said.
It said the police wanted to determine whether any video footage or cell phone photos would shed light on the incident; to examine the “Western-style” clothing worn by Baldwin, which clearly had blood stains on it; and to examine all firearms, ammunition and coveralls at the scene.
It said Baldwin handed a gun to the 24-year-old Hannah Gutierrez-Reid – the weapon master, or armorer – of the film – immediately after shooting, and he removed a spent cover and handed them both upon arrival.
The 911 call to the police shortly thereafter conveyed the shock and anger felt on the set.
“We have accidentally shot two people with a prop gun, we need help immediately,” the caller told a police dispatcher.
“Was it loaded with a real bullet,” asks the dispatcher.
“I don’t – I can’t tell you that,” replied the caller. “And this (abusive) Eddie … this mother (abusive) – he has to check the guns, he is responsible for everything that happens on set.”
Detailed gun safety guidelines from the Actors Equity Association group specify that “all loading of firearms must be performed by the property master, armorer or experienced persons operating under their direct supervision”.
The guidelines also say: “Before each use, make sure the gun has been tested step by step and then ask to test it yourself. Have the prop master check the cylinder and barrel to see if there are any foreign objects or dummies.” The bullet is not made. Kept inside.”
Baldwin, one of Hollywood’s most celebrated actors, has said he is cooperating fully with the investigation. He trade journal. retweeted a story of Diversity Title “Alec Baldwin Was Told Prop Gun Was Safe Before Fatal Shooting, Affidavit Says.”
Gutierrez-Reid is the daughter of longtime film-industry armorer Thale Reid.
In a September podcast, she said she was somewhat nervous about working as the first-ever lead armorer for the previous film, “The Old Way,” starring another Western. Nicolas Cage.
“I almost didn’t take the job because I wasn’t sure I was ready,” she said on the “Voice of the West” podcast. Loading blanks, he said, particularly bothers him.
Hall and Gutierrez-Reid could not immediately be reached for comment.
District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altweiss said in a statement Friday that the case is in its early stages, adding that “at this time, we do not know whether charges will be filed.”
The Los Angeles Times, citing unnamed sources, reported that there had been at least three prop gun misfires before the fatal crash, and some crew members protested this and other working conditions.
It said at least one camera operator had messaged a production manager saying, “We’ve had 3 accidental discharges now. This is super unsafe.”
Rust Movie Productions said in a statement that it had not been made aware of any “official complaints”, but “will continue to cooperate with Santa Fe authorities”.
It said it was also conducting an internal review.
“Rust”, for which Baldwin is a co-producer, was being filmed in the foothills of northern New Mexico at Bonanza Creek Ranch, which has been used as the setting for several films.
Baldwin Harland stars as Rust, a robber who elopes with his grandson, later convicted of murder after an accidental murder.
Ukraine-born cinematographer Halina Hutchins, 42, suffered a chest injury and died shortly after Thursday’s incident in New Mexico, while director Joel Souza, 48, who was standing behind him as they lined up a shot, was injured and hospitalized, then released.
Police interviewed an apparently distraught Baldwin, who volunteered to cooperate, but made no charges.
The incident stunned many in Hollywood and beyond, prompting intense speculation about how such an accident on the set of the 19th-century western “Rust”, despite elaborate gun-safety protocols for the film set. can.
According to the affidavit submitted by the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office to obtain the search warrant, the gun, which was to be loaded with a blank charge, was instead a live round. The affidavit was seen by AFP.
It said assistant director Dave Halls, who was identified as the person who handed the gun to Baldwin during rehearsals, called the “cold gun” because he did it—the industry code to indicate the weapon was just a blank charge.
“The assistant director (Dave Hall) did not know the live rounds were in the prop-gun” when he delivered it to Baldwin, the affidavit said.
It said the police wanted to determine whether any video footage or cell phone photos would shed light on the incident; to examine the “Western-style” clothing worn by Baldwin, which clearly had blood stains on it; and to examine all firearms, ammunition and coveralls at the scene.
It said Baldwin handed a gun to the 24-year-old Hannah Gutierrez-Reid – the weapon master, or armorer – of the film – immediately after shooting, and he removed a spent cover and handed them both upon arrival.
The 911 call to the police shortly thereafter conveyed the shock and anger felt on the set.
“We have accidentally shot two people with a prop gun, we need help immediately,” the caller told a police dispatcher.
“Was it loaded with a real bullet,” asks the dispatcher.
“I don’t – I can’t tell you that,” replied the caller. “And this (abusive) Eddie … this mother (abusive) – he has to check the guns, he is responsible for everything that happens on set.”
Detailed gun safety guidelines from the Actors Equity Association group specify that “all loading of firearms must be performed by the property master, armorer or experienced persons operating under their direct supervision”.
The guidelines also say: “Before each use, make sure the gun has been tested step by step and then ask to test it yourself. Have the prop master check the cylinder and barrel to see if there are any foreign objects or dummies.” The bullet is not made. Kept inside.”
Baldwin, one of Hollywood’s most celebrated actors, has said he is cooperating fully with the investigation. He trade journal. retweeted a story of Diversity Title “Alec Baldwin Was Told Prop Gun Was Safe Before Fatal Shooting, Affidavit Says.”
Gutierrez-Reid is the daughter of longtime film-industry armorer Thale Reid.
In a September podcast, she said she was somewhat nervous about working as the first-ever lead armorer for the previous film, “The Old Way,” starring another Western. Nicolas Cage.
“I almost didn’t take the job because I wasn’t sure I was ready,” she said on the “Voice of the West” podcast. Loading blanks, he said, particularly bothers him.
Hall and Gutierrez-Reid could not immediately be reached for comment.
District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altweiss said in a statement Friday that the case is in its early stages, adding that “at this time, we do not know whether charges will be filed.”
The Los Angeles Times, citing unnamed sources, reported that there had been at least three prop gun misfires before the fatal crash, and some crew members protested this and other working conditions.
It said at least one camera operator had messaged a production manager saying, “We’ve had 3 accidental discharges now. This is super unsafe.”
Rust Movie Productions said in a statement that it had not been made aware of any “official complaints”, but “will continue to cooperate with Santa Fe authorities”.
It said it was also conducting an internal review.
“Rust”, for which Baldwin is a co-producer, was being filmed in the foothills of northern New Mexico at Bonanza Creek Ranch, which has been used as the setting for several films.
Baldwin Harland stars as Rust, a robber who elopes with his grandson, later convicted of murder after an accidental murder.
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