“I wonder how it must feel to unjustly kill someone,” actor Alec Baldwin wondered on social media in 2017 when a man was killed in cold blood by a police officer. Bad fortune has brought Baldwin, 63, back to that foreboding question after accidentally killing director of photography, Halyna Hutchins , 42, and wounding director Joel Souza , 48, with a gun. Props in the filming of the western ‘Rust’ in the state of New Mexico.
The incident occurred around 1:50 p.m. (local time) at the Bonanza Creek Ranch . A Baldwin spokeswoman has indicated that the shooting occurred by accident when the prop pistol failed, although the facts have not yet been clarified.
After being shot, the emergency services have transferred Halyn Hutchins to the Hospital of the University of New Mexico, where her death was declared. Joel Souza has been transferred to the Saint Vicente Regional Medical Center.
The authorities have indicated that the investigation is ongoing and that no charges have been filed. Meanwhile, production on the film, directed by Souza and with Baldwin as producer and actor, has been halted.
The cinematographers’ union (International Cinematographers Guild) issued a statement identifying the fatality. “We received the devastating news that one of our members, Halyna Hutchins, director of photography for a production called ‘Rust’ in New Mexico, died from injuries sustained on set,” explained John Lindley, president of the union.
“The details are not clear at this time, but we are working to obtain more information and we support a full investigation into this tragic event. This is a terrible loss, “he added.
