An assistant director unwittingly handed Alec Baldwin a loaded weapon and told him it was safe to use in the moments before the actor fatally shot a cinematographer, according to court documents.
“Cold gun”, the assistant director announced, according to a search warrant filed in a court in Santa Fe, Arizona.
Instead, the gun was loaded with live rounds and when Baldwin pulled the trigger on Thursday he killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Director Joel Souza, who was standing behind her, was wounded, the records said.
The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office obtained the warrant so investigators could document the scene at the ranch outside Santa Fe where the shooting took place.
They sought Baldwin’s blood-stained costume for the film Rust as evidence, as well as the weapon that was fired, other prop guns and ammunition, and any footage that might exist.
1-
There 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) October 22, 2021
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) October 22, 2021
The gun was one of three that the head armourer in charge of guns, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, had set on a cart outside the wooden structure where a scene was being acted, according to the records.
A search warrant released on Friday said that first assistant director Dave Halls grabbed the gun from the cart and brought it inside to Baldwin, unaware that it was loaded with live rounds.
Filming a scene inside an Old West church, Baldwin apparently aimed towards the camera and pulled the trigger killing the cinematographer and injuring the director who was standing behind her.
Reports yesterday suggested Gutierrez-Reed, 25, was inexperienced and unsure about the responsibility She told a podcast last month of her doubts before taking accepting the promotion on a previous film: “I almost didn’t take the job because I wasn’t sure if I was ready.”
It was claimed the crew had walked off the set of the movie, which stars Baldwin as the outlaw Harland Rust, hours before the fatal accident over safety fears after guns were accidentally discharged three times.
© Alamy Live News.Baldwin, 63, confirmed he is “fully cooperating” with the police probe and, in a statement posted on his arts foundation’s social media account, he described the event as a “tragedy” and said he is in communication with Hutchins’ husband.
He said: “There 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 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.”
Hutchins, 42, was airlifted to University of New Mexico Hospital where she was pronounced dead. Actress Frances Fisher, who stars in the film, said on Friday that director Souza, 48, had been discharged from hospital.
Shannon Lee, the sister of late actor Brandon Lee, has said “no one should ever be killed by a gun on a film set” following the incident. Lee, the son of martial arts superstar Bruce Lee, was 28 when he was shot dead on the set of the film The Crow in 1993.
The gun was supposed to have fired a blank, but a post-mortem examination found a .44-calibre bullet lodged near his spine.
Baldwin has been famous for more than three decades and best known for his roles in 30 Rock, Glengarry Glen Ross and The Cooler, as well as his impression of Donald Trump on Saturday Night Live. He is eldest of four actor brothers – the others are Daniel, Stephen and William.
An incredible artist: Stunned stars hail movie-maker said to be a rising star
© Shutterstock FeedTributes were paid to cinematographer Halyna Hutchins after she was killed on the set of the film Rust.
Hollywood actors and crew hailed the 42-year-old film-maker, described as an “incredible artist” following her death.
She had been named by American Cinematographer magazine as a rising star. Born in Ukraine, she was married to a lawyer and had an eight-year-old son.
Her last post on Instagram showed her riding a horse on the set of the movie two days before her death.
Yesterday, the brother and niece of Alec Baldwin spoke of their “heartbreak” after the tragedy.
Fashion model Hailey, who is married to pop star Justin Bieber, said on social media: “Sending all my love to the family of Halyna Hutchins. This is a truly unimaginable and devastating tragedy. I am absolutely heartbroken for everyone involved.”
Her father Stephen, an actor and producer and Baldwin’s brother, asked his followers to send prayers in a post on Instagram. “Not much can be said other than please pray for all involved in the wake of this tragic accident thank you,” he wrote.
The camera crew for television series His Dark Materials also paid tribute. A photograph of a clapperboard bearing the words RIP Halyna Hutchins was posted on the BBC and HBO programme’s official Twitter page in tribute to the director of photography.
“We were devastated to learn of the tragic passing of Halyna Hutchins in the USA,” the post said. “Our wonderful camera crew created this on set today to pay tribute to ‘one of us’.”
Hollywood star Dwayne Johnson also paid tribute. The actor, also known as The Rock. wrote: “I am so so sorry. Rest easy. My love and strength to your family.”
Magic Mike actor Joe Manganiello, who recently worked with Hutchins on the film Archenemy, posted: “I woke up to the messages and read the news and I am in shock.
“She was an absolutely incredible talent and a great person. She had such an eye and a visual style.
“This is a horrible tragedy. My heart goes out to her family and especially to her son. I am so sad today for everyone who knew her and worked with her…”
The film’s director, Joel Souza, was also injured but has since been discharged from hospital, according to actress Frances Fisher.
Actor Elijah Wood also reacted to the news of the shooting, tweeting: “Absolutely horrifying and devastating news about cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins. My heart goes out to her family.”
Guardians Of The Galaxy director James Gunn and Archenemy director Adam Egypt Mortimer were also among those sharing tributes.
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