Actor Alex Baldwin was reportedly practicing a cross draw and pointing a revolver at the camera when it fired, killing a cinematographer on the set of “Rust” Thursday in New Mexico.
The New York Post obtained Santa Fe police documents which stated that two witnesses saw Baldwin, 63, practicing the move in a mock church pew at Bonanza Creek Ranch when it discharged, killing Halyna Hutchins, 42, and wounding director Joel Souza, 48.
Souza, who was reportedly briefly hospitalized for a shoulder injury, reportedly told police that he heard a loud pop before realizing he and Hutchins were bleeding. The director also claimed he heard the phrase “cold gun” — suggesting it was unloaded and safe to use — while preparing for the scene, but he was unsure whether it was checked after they returned from lunch, according to the Post.
Per a warrant, the other witness recalled how “Alec was trying to explain how he was going to draw out the firearm and where his arm would be at when the firearm was pulled from the holster.”
Hutchins was reportedly fatally shot in the chest. Souza said he saw her stumble backwards and complain of pain before she was helped to the ground, according to the Post.
One of the witnesses told police that on the day of the shooting, six camera crew members walked off the set due to issues with housing and payment. The witness also said the six crew members were threatened with security if they did not leave and were replaced with three non-union members.
The witness’ account appears to back claims made by in an email prop master union IATSE Local 44 sent to their members on Friday — which stated that props, set decorations, construction, and special effects were not staffed by their union members. The union also alleged that the prop weapon that accidentally fired contained “a live single round,” though it is unclear whether that bullet killed Hutchins.
“There were no Local 44 embers on the call sheet,” the union also wrote.
It is not immediately known whether criminal charges will be filed in this case.
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[Featured image: Alex Baldwin/AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File; Halyna Hutchins/Instagram]
