Alec Baldwin has accidentally killed a female crew member on the set of his newest film Rust after shooting a prop gun, police have said.
The Santa Fe County New Mexico Sheriff confirmed the 68-year-old actor shot two people today on a movie set with a prop firearm that would normally be loaded with blanks.
Director of photography, Halyna Hutchins, 42, and director Joel Souza, 48, were both shot.
Ms Hutchins was transported by helicopter to the University of New Mexico Hospital where she tragically died.
Mr Souza was transported via ambulance to Christus St Vincent Regional Medical Center where he was treated for his injuries, before being safely discharged.
Juan Ríos, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office, said Mr Souza is currently fighting for his life in critical condition, reports Hollywood Reporter.
Police state that the investigation remains open and no charges have been filed, as witnesses continue to be interviewed by detectives.
A local reporter claims the gun was fired during a scene that was being filmed or rehearsed.
He claimed that the Sheriff said: “We’re trying to determine right now how and what type of projectile was used in the firearm.”
A producer said in an earlier statement to ABC News: “Two crew members have been taken to the hospital and are receiving care.
(Image: KOB 4)
“Production has been halted for the time being. The safety of our cast and crew remains our top priority.”
Following the tragic incident, Alec was seen looking distraught while outside the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s offices on Camino Justicia after being questioned.
He could be seen talking on the phone, before walking to the edge of the parking lot and bending over with his hands on his knees.
The new Western movie written and directed by Mr Souza follows an outlaw who has had a bounty on his head for years.
When his 13-year-old grandson is convicted of accidental murder and sentenced to hang, he travels to Kansas to break him out of prison.
An unexpected bond forms between the outlaw and his estranged grandson as they go on the run.
Supernatural’s Jensen Ackles and Travis Fimmel are among the other big names starring in the film, playing a U.S. Marshal and a bounty hunter who are on the pair’s tail.
Alec is a co-producer on the film as he plays the lead role Rust.
(Image: Alec Baldwin/Instagram)
He took to Instagram earlier this week to share a photo of him on set, apparently suffering from a fake gut shot wound, in full costume, but has deleted it since the accident.
“Back to in person at the office. Blimey…it’s exhausting,” he captioned the snap.
The Daily Star has gone to Alec’s representatives for comment.
The International Cinematographers Guild paid tribute to their colleague.
“We received the devastating news this evening, that one of our members, Halyna Hutchins, the director of photography on a production called Rust in New Mexico died from injuries sustained on the set,” John Lindley, national president of the Local 600 labour union, and Rebecca Rhine, national executive director, said.
“The details are unclear at this moment, but we are working to learn more, and we support a full investigation into this tragic event. This is a terrible loss, and we mourn the passing of a member of our Guild’s family.”
(Image: Halyna Hutchins/Instagram)
Directors Guild of America president Lesli Linka Glatter said in a statement: “The DGA is incredibly saddened to hear of the tragic passing of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, and the serious injuries sustained by DGA director Joel Souza in an on-set incident in New Mexico today.
“We await further details and a full investigation. Our hearts go out to Halyna’s family, to Joel, and to everyone impacted.”
This is not the first Hollywood incident of its kind, after Bruce Lee’s son, Brandon Lee was tragically killed on the set of The Crow after a similar accident involving a prop gun.
(Image: Getty Images)
Other actors to have been killed accidentally on set include Jon-Erik Hexum and Roy Kinnear.
Hexum died at the age of 26 in 1984 after he became restless on set of Cover Up and shot a blank at his right temple, unaware that it could still kill him.
British actor Kinnear died in 1988 at the age of 54 after falling from a horse during the making of The Return of the Musketeers.
Tributes have been pouring in for Halyna after the tragic accident, with names such as Elijah Woods and Joe Manganiello reacting.
(Image: Halyna Hutchins/Instagram)
Elijah said: “Absolutely horrifying and devastating news about cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins. My heart goes out to her family.”
And Joe wrote: “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.
“She had such an eye and a visual style, she was the kind of cinematographer that you wanted to see succeed because you wanted to she what she could pull off next… and she was a fantastic person.
“There was no amount of pressure she couldn’t handle. She was a great collaborator and an ally to anyone in front of her camera. Everyone who knew her was rooting for her.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
