The "Los Angeles Times" reported that six members of the crew for the film "Rust," in which cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was accidentally shot and killed by star Alec Baldwin, had left the shoot hours before the incident in protest of their working conditions. Investigations continue into the killing of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins by a bullet fired by actor Alec Baldwin, likely accidentally during filming in New Mexico, amid information regarding a misjudgment by a crew member about the nature of the weapon used in the incident.
According to unnamed crew members quoted by the "Los Angeles Times," the weapon used as a prop in the incident had been fired accidentally at least three times before. "Rust" is a western film written and directed by Joel Souza, starring Alec Baldwin who also serves as a producer and plays a character named Harland Rust, a lawman trying to save his 13-year-old grandson, sentenced to death for murder.
The "Santa Fe Reporter," citing court documents submitted by the police to request a search warrant, stated that the tragedy that took Hutchins' life occurred during rehearsals for a scene. The document indicated that the actor, who expressed being "devastated" by what happened, had received a prop from one of director Joel Souza's assistants, who was also injured in the incident. The assistant told the 63-year-old Hollywood star that this piece was a "prop gun loaded with blank ammunition" used for filming. The document also noted that the assistant "did not know there were live rounds in the prop."
Clothing worn by Alec Baldwin during the incident and the weapon used have been handed over to investigators, along with bullet casings. The tragedy occurred at the Bonanza Creek Ranch, which is widely used for shooting western films. The police cordoned off the area, preventing access.
Santa Fe Police spokesperson Juan Rios told AFP that Baldwin "voluntarily" went to the station and "left after the investigation concluded." He confirmed that "no charges have been filed and no one has been arrested" in the case thus far. He noted that investigators conducted searches at the filming site on Friday.
The film's production company stated that the tragedy "devastated all cast and crew," adding, "We have halted filming indefinitely and are fully cooperating" with the investigation. Halyna Hutchins, born in Ukraine and living in Los Angeles, was considered a rising star in American cinema. The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees to which Hutchins belonged expressed that it was "devastated" by the incident, emphasizing that "a culture of safety requires vigilance at every moment from each of us every day."
