Details continue to emerge from the ongoing investigation of a fatal shooting on a movie set in New Mexico earlier this month.
Actor Alec Baldwin reportedly fired the shot that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injured a director — and search warrants reveal he was aiming the gun at a camera when it somehow discharged.
“A whip and then a loud pop”
Santa Fe County authorities provided a glimpse into the events leading up to the tragic moment during the filming of the western flick Rust.
Baldwin was reportedly setting up a shot that called for him to draw a revolver and aim at the camera, according to director Joel Souza, who said he heard a “whip and then a loud pop” as the fatal shot rang out.
“Joel stated that they had Alec sitting in a pew in a church building setting, and he was practicing a cross draw,” an affidavit explained. “Joel said he was looking over the shoulder of [Hutchins] when he heard what sounded like a whip and then a loud pop.”
At that point, Souza reportedly recalled seeing Hutching grab her midsection and stumble backward. Camera operator Reid Russel added that she complained about not being able to feel her legs.
Hutchins, who was shot in the chest, was transported by air ambulance to a hospital where she died from her injury.
“There are no words”
As of the latest reports available, it was still unclear how the gun fired or why it was apparently loaded with live ammunition. Before landing in Baldwin’s hands, the firearm would have likely passed through the armorer and assistant director, each of whom seemingly should have checked to ensure it was not loaded.
Assistant director Dave Halls reportedly assured Baldwin that it was not loaded before handing it to him. The firearm is believed to have been on a cart along with two others.
The gun fired by Baldwin had been used for target practice earlier in the day, according to reports.
Although the actor does not appear to be solely responsible for the fatal mishap, he could bear some liability as a producer on the film for failing to ensure the gun was safe to use on the set. In a statement, Baldwin affirmed that he is “fully cooperating” with investigators and expressed his dismay over the tragedy that unfolded.
“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,” he wrote.
The post Search warrant reveals new details about fatal shooting on movie set first appeared on Conservative Institute.
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