Liberal actor Alec Baldwin, 63, reportedly discharged a prop gun in an accident that occurred Thursday on the set of a new film, killing one person and injuring another, according to local authorities. One of the people who was shot by the weapon was cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, 42, who has already been pronounced dead.
According to the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s office, the shooting took place at the Bonanza Creek Ranch movie set during work on the movie “Rust,” which is an independent film starring Baldwin.
The writer of the film, Joel Souza, 48, was also hit by a bullet during the incident and is currently hospitalized at Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center.
Juan Rios, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office, told the Alburquerque Journal that the apparent movie scene that they were filming “involved the use of a prop firearm,” which discharged. “Detectives are investigating how and what type of projectile was discharged,” he said.
According to the Santa Fe New Mexican, “[a] source close to the investigation said Baldwin, 63, was questioned by investigators late Thursday and was seen by a New Mexican reporter and photographer in tears.”
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities said no charges have been filed.
“Santa Fe County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the Bonanza Creek Ranch movie set of the western ‘Rust,’ October 21, 2021, when an 911 caller reported a shooting on the set,” the sheriff’s statement started.
“The sheriff’s office confirms that two individuals were shot on the set of Rust. Halyna Hutchins, 42, director of photography and Joel Souza, 48, director, were shot when a prop firearm was discharged by Alec Baldwin, 68, producer and actor,” the statement continued.
“Ms. Hutchins was transported, via helicopter, to University of New Mexico Hospital where she was pronounced dead by medical personnel. Mr. Souza was transported by ambulance to Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical center where he is undergoing treatment for his injuries,” the statement said.
“This investigation remains open and active. No charges have been filed in regard to this incident. Witnesses continue to be interviewed by detectives,” it concluded.
“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,” John Lindley, president of the guild, and Rebecca Rhine, executive director of the guild, went on to say in a statement, according to new reports from Variety. “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.”
This is a horrific tragedy, and though the vast majority of you reading this piece passionately disagree with Baldwin’s abysmal politics, this is a tragedy that the actor will have to live with for a very, very long time.
Prayers go out to those who lost a loved one tonight.
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