Alec Baldwin Addresses on Set Death, 911 Call Released

Actor Alec Baldwin made his first public statement on the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on Friday. Baldwin published his statement on Twitter, expressing his grief over the incident and noting that he has been fully cooperative in the investigation into what caused his prop gun to kill her:

“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.”

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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

The 911 call placed from the set after the incident took place has also been released. A distressed crew member is heard explaining the situation to the responder, and describes it as an “accidental shooting.”

Investigation into Alec Baldwin’s accidental shooting of cinematographer and director is still ongoing

The investigation has commenced in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where “Rust” was being filmed and where the incident took place. Investigators have not released much information about the case thus far, but no arrests have been made and no charges have been filed. Juan Rios, a spokesman for the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office, said that “We’re trying to determine right now how and what type of projectile was used in the firearm.”

It is currently not known exactly what gun was used on the set. There are typically strict safety protocols for the use of guns during film productions. Prop guns are real guns that are being used as props and are loaded with blanks. But these blanks are not 100% safe as they require gunpowder, cartridges, and paper or wax which is used to provide a realistic gunshot spark.

Larry Zanoff, who handled the guns on the set of Quentin Tarantino’s movie “Django Unchained,” but was not a part of the production of “Rust,”  told the New York Times that the majority of film sets only use blank ammunition, which consists of a cartridge case with no real bullet inside.

Multiple others involved with “Rust” have come forward to offer their condolences for Hutchins’ death.

Rust Movie Productions LLC, the production company creating the movie, said 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.”

John Lindley and Rebecca Rhine, the president and executive directors of the International Cinematographers Guild, Local 600, of which Hutchins was a member, 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.”