The actor is understood to have accidentally fired the pop gun, which killed the director of photography and injured the director on the set of Western film Rust.
Reports out of the U.S. today confirm actor Alec Baldwin, 63, who also serves as a producer on the Western feature film Rust, shot a prop gun which misfired and struck both the director of photography, Halyna Hutchins, 42, and the director, Joel Souza, 48.
Hutchins was airlifted to University of New Mexico Hospital, but later died from her injuries. Souza was being treated at Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center, in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement:
“This investigation remains open and active. No charges have been filed in regard to this incident. Witnesses continue to be interviewed by detectives.”
A production spokesperson told Deadline:
“There was an accident today on the New Mexico set of Rust involving the misfire of a prop gun with blanks. Two crew members have been taken to the hospital and are receiving care. Production has been halted for the time being. The safety of our cast and crew remains our top priority.”
Officials said sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the Rust set at around 1:50pm local time, following a call to emergency services.
Entertainment guru Peter Ford tweeted that Australian actor Travis Fimmel (best known for his roles in Warcraft and Vikings) was starring alongside the seasoned Baldwin.
Baldwin had shared a photo of himself dressed in a costume for the film earlier in the day.
The International Cinematographers Guild, Local 600, said in a statement obtained by the New York Post:
“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.”
The sheriff’s office said as more information becomes available, updates would be provided.
