Alec Baldwin Accidentally Shoots & Kills Director Of Photography With Prop Gun On Movie Set

Oct 22, 2021 by apost team

Many movies use prop weapons to keep even the objects in movies realistic, but also to keep actors and others working on the film safe. However, unfortunately even prop weapons can go wrong, and this was exactly the case for Alec Baldwin on a New Mexico film set on Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021, around 13:50 local time, as reported by the BBC. Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was working as the director of photography on the 19th century western "Rust" when the incident occurred. The 42-year-old cinematographer was flown to the hospital via helicopter but ultimately died of her injuries. Another man on set was injured during the shooting; 48-year-old director Joel Souza was transported from the scene at Bonanza Creek Ranch via ambulance. 

Alec Baldwin is a co-producer of the film "Rust," and plays the main character: an outlaw with a 13-year-old grandson who was convicted of manslaughter. However, Baldwin has starred in a variety of TV shows and films since the 1980s. "Better Call Saul," "Mission Impossible," and "The Getaway" are just some of the actor's most remembered roles. 

Hutchins was from Ukraine, and according to her personal website, she grew up on a Soviet military base in the Arctic Circle. Hutchins studied journalism and Kyiv and eventually went on to study film in Los Angeles. The American Cinematographer magazine named her a "rising star" in 2019. Hutchins was the director of photography for the 2020 action film titled "Archenemy," which was directed by Adam Egypt Mortimer. 

Read on to learn more about the details of the shooting, how Baldwin reacted, and what exactly went wrong with the prop gun.

According to the BBC, police were dispatched to Bonanza Creek Ranch after receiving an emergency call about the shooting. The Santa Fe location is a popular choice for movies, especially westerns. As reported by the BBC, Baldwin spoke to detectives. A spokesman told AFP news agency:

"He came in voluntarily and he left the building after he finished his interviews." 

How the accident happened is being dubbed as a 'freak accident' by news outlets. According to the BBC, it was later determined by authorities that the gun used on-set for the prop had earlier fired a round that caused a cartridge to become stuck in the barrel. Because of this lodged cartridge, when the blank rounds were fired by Baldwin, the cartridge was dislodged and released. 

According to the NY Post, the International Cinematographers Guild Local 600 released a statement confirming Hutchins's death:

"This is a terrible loss, and we mourn the passing of a member of our Guild's family. The details are unclear at this moment, but we are working to learn more, and we support a full investigation into this tragic event."

"Rust's" director, Joel Souza, is being treated for his injuries at Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center in Santa Fe, as reported by the NY Post. The Sherriff's Office in Santa Fe County also said in a statement:

"Detectives are investigating how and what type of projectile was discharged."

As of now, no charges have been filed, and authorities are still interviewing witnesses, one of whom was Baldwin. 

We send our warmest regards to Hutchinson and Souza's families and wish Souza a healthy recovery.

apost.com

Our hearts go out to the victims of this tragic accident and their families. Be sure to let us know your thoughts, and pass this news on to other Alec Baldwin fans you know.