Alec Baldwin Accidentally Kills Cinematographer by Firing Prop Gun on Set of “Rust”

Actor Alec Baldwin accidentally killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injured director Joel Souza on Thursday after firing a prop gun on the set of his movie “Rust.”

Hutchins and Souza were both working on the film with Baldwin, who was starring as well as serving as a producer. The tragic incident occurred while they were filming at the Bonanza Creek Ranch in Santa Fe, New Mexico. 

Hutchins, 42, was rushed from the set by a helicopter to the University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque, but tragically died at the facility. Souza, 48, was transported by ambulance to the Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center in Santa Fe and is currently receiving treatment for his wounds.

The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s office released a statement on the incident, saying that Hutchins and Souza “were shot when a prop firearm was discharged by Alec Baldwin, 63, producer and actor.”

The local newspaper Santa Fe New Mexican, reporting from the scene, said that the famed actor went through questioning from investigators, and was sobbing.

No one has been arrested in connection with the event and no charges have been filed, according to the Sherrif’s office, but the incident is still “open and active.”

John Lindley and Rebecca Rhine, the president and executive directors of the International Cinematographers Guild, Local 600, made a statement on Hutchins death, saying that:

“We received the devastating news this evening, that one of our members, Halyna Hutchins, the Director of Photography on a production called ‘Rust’ in New Mexico died from injuries sustained on the set. The details are unclear at this moment, but we are working to learn more, and we support a full investigation into this tragic event. This is a terrible loss, and we mourn the passing of a member of our Guild’s family.”

Rust Movie Productions LLC, the production company creating the movie, made their own statement following the incident, saying that everyone involved is “devastated” and that they plan on “fully cooperating” with the police department’s investigation.

“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,” they said. “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 Santa Fe Sherriff’s Office says the shooting happened during the filming of a scene

“The Sheriff’s office is referring to this incident as a shooting investigation,” the office’s spokesman, Juan Rios, said. “That detail will be addressed by detectives as they work their case.”

They described the shooting as having taken place “during [the] filming of a scene.”

“According to investigators, it appears that the scene being filmed involved the use of a prop firearm when it was discharged. Detectives are investigating how and what type of projectile was discharged.”