Alec Baldwin Breaks Silence After Fatally Shooting Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins With Prop Firearm On 'Rust' Set: 'There Are No Words'
Alec Baldwin has broken his silence after fatally shooting cinematographer Halyna Hutchins with a prop firearm on set of Rust.
“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," the actor wrote on Friday, October 22, in a statement on Instagram. "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,” he added.
As OK! reported, Hutchins tragically died from her injuries after being airlifted to the University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque.
Meanwhile, director Joel Souza was also hospitalized from the incident. The 48-year-old was transported via ambulance to Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical center in Santa Fe, where he received emergency medical care.
Joel Souza
The fatal accident happened on the New Mexico set on Thursday, October 21, with a spokesperson for the Sante Fe Sheriff's office confirming Hutchins died after a prop gun was discharged by the 30 Rock alum. The "investigation remains open and active," the rep shared in a statement. "No charges have been filed in regard to this incident."
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The spokesperson concluded: "Witnesses continue to be interviewed by detectives."
Baldwin willingly went to the sheriff's office and spoke with investigators about the incident. He has since been released.
OK! learned the prop gun was loaded with a "live single round," but the Rock of Ages star — who was seen looking distraught and in tears outside the sheriff's office — didn't know what kind of ammunition was in the gun beforehand.
After wounding the director of photography and Souza, Baldwin repeatedly asked: “Why was I handed a hot gun?” according to a witness on set. “In all my years, I’ve never been handed a hot gun,” the It's Complicated actor reportedly said at the scene.
The witness added that Baldwin appeared to be in a state of shock after firing off the bullet, saying the father-of-seven “had no idea how badly they were hurt or Halyna was dead.”
Rust Movie Productions LLC halted production "for an undetermined period of time," they shared in a statement, adding that they are "fully cooperating with the Santa Fe Police Department’s investigation.”
