Hollywood Mourns The Loss Of 'Rust' Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins After Alec Baldwin Fatally Shot Her On Set With Prop Gun
Hollywood is paying tribute to cinematographer Halyna Hutchins after she died on set of the film Rust.
On Thursday, October 21, a spokesperson for the Sante Fe Sheriff's office confirmed Hutchins, who was 42, died after a prop gun was discharged by Alec Baldwin on the New Mexico set of their upcoming project. Director Joel Souza was also hospitalized.
The director of photography was transported by helicopter to University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque — where she was pronounced dead. Souza, 48, was transported by ambulance to Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical center in Santa Fe, where he received emergency medical care, Deadline reported.
The sheriff's department spokesperson said the "investigation remains open and active," noting: "No charges have been filed in regard to this incident."
"Witnesses continue to be interviewed by detectives," the rep concluded.
OK! reported the 30 Rock alum willingly went to the sheriff's office to give a statement. He was released after being questioned by investigators.
The actor was spotted after the fatal accident, looking distraught and in tears outside the sheriff's office headquarters, as he didn't know what kind of ammunition was in the prop gun, an insider claimed.
In light of the tragic incident, stars, directors, screenwriters and more took to social media to honor the late cinematographer, who had worked on films Archenemy, Darlin', Blindfire and The Mad Hatter.
Joe Manganiello — who worked with Hutchins on 2020's Archenemy — took to Instagram on Friday, October 22, to reflect on his own experience with the late director.
“I woke up to the messages and read the news and I am in shock. I was so lucky to have had @halynahutchins as my DP on Archenemy. She was an absolutely incredible talent and a great person," the Magic Mike XXL star began his caption alongside a photo of Hutchins.
Noting "she had such an eye and a visual style," the actor said Hutchins "was the kind of cinematographer that you wanted to see succeed because you wanted to see what she could pull off next."
- Alec Baldwin Breaks Silence After Fatally Shooting Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins With Prop Firearm On 'Rust' Set: 'There Are No Words'
- Alec Baldwin Reportedly Asked 'Why Was I Handed A Hot Gun?' Multiple Times After Fatally Shooting Cinematographer With Live Round During Accident
- Alec Baldwin Attends Private Memorial For Late Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins Following Deadly On-Set Accident
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"She was a fantastic person," Manganiello, 44, declared, before going on to describe the victim as a woman who was “an ally to anyone in front of the camera."
“Everyone who knew her was rooting for her," he continued, pointing out Hutchins never caved to pressure.
Manganiello wrapped up his tribute by questioning how an incident like this could happen "in this day and age," writing: "gunfire from a prop gun could kill a crew member? This is a horrible tragedy."
The True Blood star concluded: "My heart goes out to her family and especially to her son. I am so sad today for everyone who knew her and worked with her.”
Several other stars took to Twitter to pay tribute to Hutchins, with actor Elijah Wood tweeting: "Absolutely horrifying and devastating news about cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins. My heart goes out to her family."
Patricia Arquette wrote: "My heart goes out to Halyna Hutchins family. What a heartbreaking loss. Sending prayers to Joel Souza. I’m sure everyone is devastated," while film director James Gunn candidly said his "greatest fear is that someone will be fatally hurt on one of [his] sets."
"I pray this will never happen," Gunn continued via Twitter. "My heart goes out to all of those affected by the tragedy today on Rust, especially Halyna Hutchins & her family."
Actress Holly Robinsons Peete called the incident "horrific" and "disturbing," noting the protocol for guns on every set she's been on is so strict. "We are shown the empty barrel of the guns and make sure there’s nothing in the chamber," Peete wrote, before questioning: "How did this happen??"
Amanda Abbington, Mike Flanagan and Alex Winter sent their condolences to Hutchins' family and friends, with Winter pointing out: "Crew should never be unsafe on set and when they are there is always a clearly definable reason why."
Rust Movie Productions LLC confirmed the film "has been halted for the time being," sharing in a statement: "The entire cast and crew has been absolutely devastated by today’s tragedy, and we send our deepest condolences to Halyna’s family and loved ones."
Following the horrifying incident, a Change.org petition was launched, calling on Hollywood production companies to end the use of real guns on set.
