Alec Baldwin shooting news – Tributes to Halyna Hutchins after gun accident as Rust armorer deletes Twitter and Facebook
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THE armorer who handled the gun before the accidental fatal shooting has shut down her social media accounts, and sources say she did so based on legal advice.
Director of photography Halyna Hutchins was killed and director Joel Souza was critically injured by the prop gun that an assistant director said was safe to use. The armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, handled the "loaded gun" before the fatal incident.
The gun – reportedly a vintage Colt pistol – was being used by crew members off-set during a "target practice" with real bullets, multiple .
Meanwhile, it was reported the incident at Bonanza Creek ranch outside of Santa Fe, New Mexico, occurred during a scene where Baldwin was filming a mock gunfight in the church on-set.
The Colt pistol was apparently one of many weapons on set and had been used in a previous scene without incident.
Read our Alec Baldwin live blog for the latest news and updates...
WHERE DID THE SHOOTING TAKE PLACE?
The deadly incident happened on the set of the 30 Rock actor’s new Western movie that is currently filming at the Bonanza Creek Ranch just outside of Sante Fe, New Mexico.
The International Cinematographers Guild confirmed the tragic fatality of Director Of Photography, Halyna Hutchins - which occurred just before 2 p.m. PST - in a statement on Thursday.
RUST SPOKESPERSON'S STATEMENT
A spokesperson for the Rust movie previously said in a statement: “There was an accident today on the New Mexico set of Rust involving the misfire of a prop gun with blanks.
“Two crew members have been taken to the hospital and are receiving care.
“Production has been halted for the time being. The safety of our cast and crew remains our top priority.”
CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY
Officials from the Sante Fe Sheriff’s Department confirmed to The Sun that the scary incident is currently under criminal investigation.
When asked why criminal investigators would be on the scene when it appeared to be an accident, the officer said: "When there is a death, criminal investigators tend to look into the matter even if it appears to be an accident.
"While we don't suspect foul play at this time, we cannot officially take it off the table yet either.
"A full investigation will be conducted to get to the bottom of exactly what happened."
TRAGIC FATALITY OF HALYNA HUTCHINS (continued)
The statement continued: “One shooting victim, a 42-year-old female, was transported via helicopter to University Of New Mexico Hospital. The Sheriff’s office confirms she has succumbed to her injuries.
"The second victim, a 42-year-old male, was transported by ambulance to Christus St. Vincent’s hospital where he is receiving emergency care.
“The incident remains an active investigation. As more information becomes available, updates will be provided.”
TRAGIC FATALITY OF HALYNA HUTCHINS
Santa Fe County officials confirmed the tragic fatality of Halyna — which occurred just before 2 p.m. PST — in a statement on Thursday.
“The Santa Fe County sheriff’s office confirms that two individuals were shot during filming of a scene on the set of the movie western, Rust.
“According to investigators, it appears 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," the department stated.
HAVE CHARGES BEEN FILED?
Santa Fe County Sheriff Juan Rios confirmed to The Sun that no charges have been filed yet relating to the incident.
However, he said the investigation remains ongoing as witnesses are interviewed.
SANTA FE COUNTY SHERIFF'S STATEMENT
In an exclusive statement to The Sun, Santa Fe County Sheriff Juan Rios revealed: “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."
'ACCIDENTALLY KILLED'
Following news that the director and director of photography had been hit, revealed that Halyna sadly died from the accident.
A woman, Maddie Fabricant, later wrote on that Alec was the person to fire off the gun when the tragic accident occurred.
In a now-deleted tweet, she wrote: "Welp alec baldwin accidentally killed someone on set while one of my very best friends watched... fabulous."
WHO ARE THE VICTIMS?
The victims hit are believed to be writer-director Joel Souza and director of photography Halyna Hutchins.
Shortly after the incident took place, Halyna was airlifted to a hospital.
After it was reported that the director and director of photography had been hit, revealed that Halyna sadly died from the accident.
WHY WAS A GUN FIRED OFF ON SET?
Alec Baldwin was required to fire a gun that was loaded with blanks while filming a scene for his new movie Rust.
Tragedy struck when the gun discharged either shrapnel or a bullet, which hit two people on set.