A camerawoman dies while filming the western “Rust”. According to police, a prop gun was fired from star Alec Baldwin.
+++ 1:10 p.m.: Hollywood star Alec Baldwin shot a prop weapon while filming a western and hit two people. Halyna Hutchins, 42, was fatally injured. As the Los Angeles Times now reports, a prop master or a licensed gunsmith is usually responsible for the weapons used on the set. Its job also includes loading them with blank cartridges and explaining how to use them to the actors and assistant directors. Live ammunition is prohibited on the set.
Hutchins, who as Director of Photography was responsible for the entire visual design of the film, was a rising talent in the industry, writes the Los Angeles Times on. The 42-year-old graduate of the renowned AFI film school made a name for herself with titles such as “Archenemy”, “Blindfire” and “The Mad Hatter”. “I think she would have become a very famous and successful Director of Photography,” Archenemy director Adam Egypt Mortimer told the newspaper. “She was building a reputation for herself and showing people what she can do.”
Alec Baldwin shoots camerawoman while filming – pictures show a distraught Hollywood star
+++ 8.45 a.m.: The Hollywood star Alec Baldwin was questioned by the police after his shots: “Mr. Baldwin was questioned by the investigators,” said the spokesman for the Santa Fe Sheriff, Juan Rios, the AFP news agency. He had therefore answered the police officers’ questions. “He came voluntarily and left the building after he finished his questioning,” the spokesman said. “No charges were made and there were no arrests”.
The “Santa Fe New Mexican” published pictures of a disturbed looking Baldwin, which are said to have been taken in the parking lot of the location after the tragedy. The newspaper said its reporter saw the actor in tears after being questioned by investigators. The incident occurred at Bonanza Creek Ranch near Santa Fe, where numerous westerns have been filmed.
Alec Baldwin shoots camerawoman – director in intensive care
+++ 8.00 a.m.: The 48-year-old director Souza, whose age was initially given as 42, is being treated in the intensive care unit. The Hollywood Reporter reported citing police statements that his life was in danger.
The Hollywood Reporter also quoted a spokesman for the production company that it was an accident. The gun that was used on the set should therefore have been loaded with blank cartridges.
The investigation continued on Thursday evening with the questioning of witnesses. According to the police, no criminal investigation was initially ordered.
Hollywood star Alec Baldwin shoots camerawoman while filming
First report: Los Angeles – The actor Alec Baldwin shot a camerawoman while filming the western film “Rust” in the USA. “According to the investigators, it appears that while filming a scene a prop weapon was used that was fired,” said the sheriff of Santa Fe, New Mexico on Thursday (local time). He later announced that it was Baldwin who fired the gun.
According to the information, the dead woman is the camerawoman Halyna Hutchins. The director Joel Souza was also injured in the incident. The filming location on the Bonanza Creek Ranch (Sante Fe) was initially blocked and production was discontinued.
Actor Baldwin shoots a camerawoman with a blank gun
The entertainment magazine “Deadline” had already reported that “a leading actor” in the film cocked the gun during rehearsals without knowing that it contained live ammunition. A spokesman for the production company confirmed that there had been an “accident” “in which a blank gun revolver was accidentally fired”.
The 42-year-old Hutchins was flown to the hospital, according to the sheriff, but succumbed to her injuries. The also 42-year-old Souza was taken to another hospital in an ambulance, where he received emergency care.
Alec Baldwin is known as the impersonator of Donald Trump
Baldwin is involved in the filming as co-producer and lead actor. In the western, he plays Harland Rust, an outlaw who flees the law with his grandson who has been sentenced to death for murder.
The 63-year-old is known, among other things, for his leading role in the literary film “Hunt for Red October” from 1990 and appearances in the film series “Mission: Impossible”. During Donald Trump’s tenure, he regularly imitated the now ex-US President on the program “Saturday Night Live”. (ktho / afp)
Headline list image: © MARK SAGLIOCCO / AFP
