'MY HEART IS BROKEN'
Alec Baldwin breaks silence after accidentally shooting cinematographer Halyna Hutchins dead on set
ALEC Baldwin has broken his silence after accidentally shooting a cinematographer dead on set.
Crew member Halyna Hutchins, 42, died from her injuries while director Joel Souza fights for his life after a prop gun misfired.
6
6
6
6
In a statement, Alec 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."
Baldwin was quizzed by cops following the accident and was snapped sobbing outside a local police station in Santa Fe, , according to local media reports.
One picture shows him distressed while chatting on the phone while another snapped him close to the curb with his hands on his knees.
Most read in The Sun
The accident happened at around 1.50pm local time on Thursday.
Read our Alec Baldwin shooting live blog for the very latest news and updates...
In a statement first given 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, 63, producer, and actor."
It comes as:
- Baldwin's tweet about 'wrongfully killing someone' resurfaces.
- What happened on the set of Alec Baldwin's movie Rust?
- Baldwin deletes bloodied pic of himself wearing western attire.
- Who was Halyna Hutchins and what was her role on set?
- Hutchins wrote about the joys of working on the movie set.
- Hilaria fled their New York home with their six children and pets.
- The shooting death is under investigation by the Occupational Safety Bureau.
- The shooting was caught on camera.
The officer also confirmed that no charges have been filed but the investigation remains ongoing as witnesses are being quizzed.
A spokesperson confirmed to The Sun that the medical investigator is handling the death of the young cinematographer and that an autopsy report into her passing will take between six to ten weeks to complete.
First Judicial District Attorney, Mary Carmack-Altwies, also told The Sun: "This case is still in its preliminary states of investigation. We are assisting the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office and have offered our full support to them.
"At this time, we do not know if charges will be filed. We will look into all facts and evidence of the case with great discretion and have further information at a later time. Our thoughts are with all affected by this tragedy."
TRAGIC ACCIDENT
Alec was filming a scene on the set of his new Western movie, Rust, that required him to fire a gun that was supposed to be loaded with blanks.
However, tragedy struck when the gun discharged either shrapnel or a bullet, which hit two people on set including the director of photography, Halyna Hutchins.
Shortly after the incident took place, Halyna was airlifted to a hospital where she died from her injuries.
Joel Souza, who was also shot, was taken to hospital. He was treated and released later that evening.
Earlier that day, a half-dozen camera crew walked off the set to protest the working conditions, revealed.
A crew member also told the outlet that Hutchins had been advocating for safer conditions for her team.
MISFIRE
The shooting at Bonanza Creek Ranch just outside of Santa Fe, New Mexico happened in the middle of a scene that was either being rehearsed or filmed - with the incident potentially being caught on camera, officials confirmed.
The TV and film star was "unaware" about the type of ammunition in the gun, according to .
However, an email from the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 44 confirmed that the prop contained a "live round" of ammunition.
"A live single round was accidentally fired on set by the principal actor, hitting both the Director of Photography, Local 600 member Halyna Hutchins, and Director Joel Souza," the email said, according to .
"Local 44 has confirmed that the Props, Set Decoration, Special Effects, and Construction Departments were staffed by New Mexico crew members. There were no Local 44 members on the call sheet."
According to , the Hollywood star was distraught following the tragic accident and questioned why the gun was loaded.
Filming of the western movie has since been paused.
A rep said: “Production has been halted for the time being on Rust. The safety of our cast and crew remains our top priority."
PROBE CONTINUES
Santa Fe cops said: “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 incident remains an active investigation. As more information becomes available, updates will be provided.”
Baldwin's spokesperson told : "There was an accident today on the New Mexico set of Rust involving the misfire of a prop gun with blanks."
Responding to the news, the Cinematographers Guild said: “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."
International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees also released a statement to The Sun voicing similar devastation over Halyna's passing.
"We are heartbroken and devastated to learn that one of our members, sister Halyna Hutchins, died yesterday from injuries sustained on set while working as the Director of Photography on Rust in New Mexico," the statement began.
"Our entire alliance mourns this unspeakable loss with Halyna’s family, friends, and the Rust crew. We are activating our partnerships across the industry to provide support and resources to our sisters, brothers, and kin.”
Actor Joe Manganiello tweeted: "I'm in shock. I was so lucky to have had Halyna Hutchins as my DP on Archenemy. An incredible talent and a great person."
Moscow correspondent Will Stewart, who used to work with Halyna at his news agency said she "showed a special talent for documentaries".
In 2006, Halyna produced a doc about the world's tallest man - Ukrainian icon Leonid Stadnyk.
Stewart said: "She was instrumental in Mr Stadnyk feeling at ease taking part in the documentary which focused on the problems of being exceptionally tall.
"The film, made by leading British director Richard Denton, would not have happened without her. Mr Stadnyk, a shy man, trusted Halyna after refusing many other film offers, and thanked her afterwards.
"It is tragic that she died in such a cruel and inexplicable way while doing the job she so loved."
Denton said: "Halyna was the most wonderful, vital, lively and positive person to work with.
“She was friendly and enormously helpful. She was completely unpretentious and incredibly professional."
'AN INCREDIBLE TALENT'
The family of actor Brandon Lee who was shot dead filming The Crow said "no one should ever be killed by a gun on a film set".
A statement said: "Our hearts go out to the family of Halyna Hutchins and to Joel Souza and all involved in the incident in 'Rust'. No one should ever be killed by a gun on a film set."
Lee, 28, the son of martial arts superstar Bruce Lee, was killed in 1993 after he was shot dead on set.
Days before Halyna was shot dead, she shared images of riding a horse and wrote about how she loved working on the film set.
She said: "One of the perks of shooting a western is you get to ride horses on your day off.”
In the selfie video, she smiles while her horse trots down a path behind some fellow riders and the wind blows her hair beneath a black cowboy hat.
Just hours before the accident, Alec posed in character on the set in an Instagram post.
He was wearing dirty cowboy boots, a vest, and a bandana while leaning on his trailer.
A tweet from 2017 where Baldwin criticized a southern California cop's fatal shooting has resurfaced following the accident in New Mexico.
The outspoken film producer and writer said at the time: "I wonder how it must feel to wrongfully kill someone."
Baldwin was commentating on a Huntington Beach police officer struggling with a young man in front of a 7-Eleven store before drawing his gun and firing.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Alec will star in the film alongside actors Travis Fimmel, Brady Noon, Frances Fisher, and Jensen Ackles.
6
6
Alec Baldwin looks tired and drawn in posts on Instagram before fatal Rust set shooting accident
We pay for your stories!
Do you have a story for The US Sun team?
Email us at [email protected] or call 212 416 4552.
Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at
Topics