Court records: Alec Baldwin told prop gun was safe before fatal shooting

Star says his 'heart is broken' after 'tragic accident'

by Amber Wilkinson

Halyna Hutchins posted about her excitement of working on Western Rust in the days before she was fatally shot
Halyna Hutchins posted about her excitement of working on Western Rust in the days before she was fatally shot Photo: Instagram

The gun fired by Alec Baldwin on the set of Rust, which killed a cinematographer, was given to him by an assistant director who told him it was safe, court records show.

The AD did not know the prop contained live ammunition, the records say.

Halyna Hutchins died in the incident on Thursday, after being shot in the chest, while director Joel Souza was also hurt, but later released from hospital after treatment for a shoulder injury.

The details emerged after a search warrant was filed at a court in Santa Fe, New Mexico, which noted that Baldwin's blood-stained costume along with the gun, ammunition and other prop weapons were was taken as evidence by police.

Baldwin, 63 was questioned by police but no-one has been charged over the incident.

Yesterday, the actor, who was also a producer on Rust, described the events as "a tragic accident".

On Twitter, he wrote: "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 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."

Hutchins had been posting pictures and footage from the set to her Instagram account in the days before the fatal accident, expressing her excitement of being on the shoot.

A police spokesman said: “This investigation remains open and active."

Share this with others on...
News

The serpent's call Composer Stephen Lukach on creating tension and awe in Beware Boiúna

Care and community Mike Leigh and the Tender Loving Care cast on humanity and looking out for one another

The aftermath Jorge Thielen Armand on returning to Venezuela to make Death Has No Master

Making magic Gregg Bishop on witches, inspiring actors, instinctive filmmaking and The Heretiks

The road to The Guests Cristina Diz and Stefan Butzmühlen on working together on their latest film

Beyond Saturn Tina Gharavi, Tala Calil and Assaad Bouab on Shadows Of Beirut

Puppy love Brad Pitt on the 'moving' Heart Of The Beast shoot thanks to furry co-star Odin

More news and features

Interact

Don't forget that you can follow us on YouTube for trailers of festival films and more. You can also find us on Mastodon and Bluesky.


It's a busy time for festivals and here's the latest:


San Sebastian Golden night for Tender Loving Care


Toronto La Bola Negra wins People's Choice award


San Sebastian Naomi Watts dedicates Donostia Award to Lynch


San Sebastian Werner Herzog honoured


Dinard Full programme announced


LFF Full programme announced