Accident on set of RUST, woman cinematographer killed

[DrQ]

'Why was I handed a hot gun?' What witness claims Alec Baldwin said after he accidentally shot and KILLED woman cinematographer, 42, with a gun 'loaded with blanks' and wounded film director on set of his new Western in New Mexico

• Alec Baldwin, 68, shot and killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, 42, on the set of upcoming film Rust
• Baldwin fired a prop gun that ejected a 'projectile' which hit Hutchins and Joel Souza, the film's writer-director
• She was taken to hospital by air ambulance after the 1.50pm shooting, but was pronounced dead shortly after
• Souza, 48, was also wounded and taken to hospital but has since been released. His exact condition is unclear
• Baldwin reportedly asked why he was handed a 'hot gun' after the shooting, which typically means a gun loaded with real ammunition. But the film's production company later said the 'accident' involved 'blanks'

Alec Balwin says his 'heart is broken' after accidental shooting

Alec Baldwin accidentally shot and killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounded writer-director Joel Souza on the set of the upcoming Western movie Rust, after a prop firearm discharged.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[AJCts411]

Something very criminal going on here. IMO. How does real loaded weapons or live ammunition get on to a set? FYI... blanks do not kill 99.9999 % of the time.

 

[Luanne]

The local Santa Fe New Mexican is saying the investigation is still ongoing.

 

[Passepartout]

I would think the Prop Manager on set would have some 'splainin' to do. Blanks are not totally harmless, but at close range, 'something' comes out the barrel.

 

[DrQ]

If something becomes lodged in the barrel and a blank is fired, it's just like a live round for a short range. That is what happened to Brandon Lee.

With the state of the art of CGI, I think that insurers are probably going to start insisting on Airsoft prop guns.

 

[rapmarks]

There was another actor who was killed this way. He was pretty young but can’t remember details

 

[CPNY]

There was another actor who was killed this way. He was pretty young but can’t remember details

Brandon Lee? Bruce’s son.

this is a very sad situation. I would think they can CGI gunshots into movies. What a shame

 

[rapmarks]

Brandon Lee? Bruce’s son.

this is a very sad situation. I would think they can CGI gunshots into movies. What a shame

It was an actor who had just gotten a roll in a series and I think he shot himself inthe head. I bet it was in the nineties

 

[TravelTime]

This is very horrible. I can’t believe a prop gun would kill someone. And I wonder how the director was wounded also. I would think only one person would be wounded if the gun was shot at her. I think they need to stop using guns and aiming them at people. I feel bad for Alec Baldwin. A few years ago he said on Twitter “I wonder how it would feel to kill someone accidentally.” That comment is eery in light of what just happened. I assume it’s not his fault and it’s an error on the part of who checked the gun. I read production sets often hire gun specialists to check guns before giving them to actors. Someone screwed up but I am pretty sure it would not be intentional. It will be interesting to see how this story develops. I also wonder what will happen to Alec Baldwin’s career even if it’s not his fault.

 

[buzglyd]

You treat Every gun as if it’s loaded. Why is he pointing and firing it anyway?

 

[Ty1on]

Never point any kind of firearm at another person unless you intend to kill them. Doesn't matter whether it is "unloaded", "safetied", "Only a blank gun" or whatnot. I thought they had set safety officers who have to teach blank gun handling....

Baldwin's career will be fine, it isn't like he made an offensive joke or something.

 

[CPNY]

You treat Every gun as if it’s loaded. Why is he pointing and firing it anyway?

Twice as well.

 

[Roger830]

Alex might be partially responsible, he is a co-producer on the movie.

 

[buzglyd]

According to a source from the set (not my source, just something I’ve read) the director wanted another take. Baldwin jokingly said, “another take? I should just shoot you both.” And fired the weapon. If that’s true, I’m sure he had no idea what would transpire but he still violated every rule of firearms that exist.

Maybe he can lecture us on gun control.

 

[SandyPGravel]

There was another actor who was killed this way. He was pretty young but can’t remember details

Jon Erik Hexum. (I had to Google it this morning, I remembered it as well but couldn't recall his name.) He was bored during downtime between takes and didn't realize the danger and played Russian roulette with a prop gun to his temple.

 

[buzglyd]

Jon Erik Hexum. (I had to Google it this morning, I remembered it as well but couldn't recall his name.) He was bored during downtime between takes and didn't realize the danger and played Russian roulette with a prop gun to his temple.

I remember that name now. I mean even if you KNOW there are no real bullets in the gun, do you want to fire something that loud near your head (or other heads.)?

 

[DrQ]

According to a source from the set (not my source, just something I’ve read) the director wanted another take. Baldwin jokingly said, “another take? I should just shoot you both.” And fired the weapon. If that’s true, I’m sure he had no idea what would transpire but he still violated every rule of firearms that exist.

Source? That sounds like a nasty rumor. I don't care for Alex either, but:

• I don't think he was goofing around
• I feel sorry for the pain he will endure

 

[MrockStar]

This is very sad and preventable. They should all have to take and pass a gun safety course before ever handling any weapon even on a movie set. I have used and fired m16's with blanks in war games training and would never fired/pointed it directly at the opposing force at close range.

 

[DrQ]

This is very sad and preventable. They should all have to take and pass a gun safety course before ever handling any weapon even on a movie set. I have used and fired m16's with blanks in war games training and would never fired/pointed it directly at the opposing force at close range.

That is true, they use camera angles to make it look like they are firing AT each other.

Since this was a western, it must have been a revolver. I looks like somebody gave him a cocked weapon, if so the armorer has got some hard questions to answer.

 

[MULTIZ321]

Exclusive Eyewitness Recounts Shooting on Alec
Baldwin Movie Set: One bullet ripped through both
victims.

https://www.showbiz411.com/2021/10/22/exclusive-eyewitness-recounts-shooting-on-alec-baldwin-movie-set-one-bullet-ripped-through-both-victims

.


Richard

 

[Ty1on]

Exclusive Eyewitness Recounts Shooting on Alec
Baldwin Movie Set: One bullet ripped through both
victims.

https://www.showbiz411.com/2021/10/22/exclusive-eyewitness-recounts-shooting-on-alec-baldwin-movie-set-one-bullet-ripped-through-both-victims

.


Richard

So this wasn't a blank wad run amok. What is a live firearm doing as a movie prop?

 

[DrQ]

So this wasn't a blank wad run amok. What is a live firearm doing as a movie prop?

Low budget film.

ETA:
Just a guess, didn't empty the cylinders before loading blanks. The gun may have been used for a live fire shot (no pun intended).

 

[Ty1on]

Low budget film.

Not any more. It is now a high budget defendant.

 

[Ralph Sir Edward]

Sigh. ALWAYS CHECK YOUR LOAD. Takes less than 30 seconds, even with a single action Colt .45. NEVER take anyone else's word.

 

[Ty1on]

Sigh. ALWAYS CHECK YOUR LOAD. Takes less than 30 seconds, even with a single action Colt .45. NEVER take anyone else's word.

And STILL don't point at your cinematographer, much less click, even if you know there is a blank in there, firing pin removed, or whatevs.