Alec Baldwin has broken his silence after firing a prop gun on the set of his upcoming Western film “Rust” that killed the cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injured the director Joel Souza.
He expressed his condolences to Hutchins’ family and called the shooting an accident.
“There are no words to convey my shock and sadness regarding the tragic accident that took the life of Halyna Hutchins, a wife, mother and deeply admired colleague of ours,” he said Friday morning on Twitter.
“I’m fully cooperating with the police investigation to address how this tragedy occurred and I am in touch with her husband, offering my support to him and his family. My heart is broken for her husband, their son, and all who knew and loved Halyna,” the actor concluded.
ALEC BALDWIN DISCHARGED PROP GUN THAT KILLED ‘RUST’ CREW MEMBER ON FILM SET: AUTHORITIES
Production on “Rust” has halted indefinitely after Baldwin discharged a prop gun during production on Thursday at Bonanza Creek Ranch near Santa Fe, New Mexico, resulting in the death of Hutchins, 42, and the wounding of Souza, 48.
Hutchins was airlifted to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Souza who was wounded in the collarbone area was taken by ambulance to a medical center. He was discharged from the hospital on Friday morning.
Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins (L) was killed when Alec Baldwin (C) misfired a prop gun. Director Joel Souza (R) was also injured.
(Photo by Fred Hayes/Getty Images for SAGindie | Jim Weber/Santa Fe New Mexican | Photo by Jim Spellman/Getty Images)
“The entire cast and crew has been absolutely devastated by today’s tragedy, and we send our deepest condolences to Halyna’s family and loved ones,” a spokesperson for Rust Movies Productions LLC said in a statement obtained by Deadline.
ALEC BALDWIN ‘RUST’ SHOOTING VICTIMS: WHO ARE HALYNA HUTCHINS AND JOEL SOUZA?
“We have halted production on the film for an undetermined period of time and are fully cooperating with the Santa Fe Police Department’s investigation,” the statement continued. “We will be providing counseling services to everyone connected to the film as we work to process this awful event.”
The movie is about a 13-year-old boy who is left to fend for himself and his younger brother following the death of their parents in 1880s’ Kansas, according to the Internet Movie Database website. The teen goes on the run with his long-estranged grandfather (played by Baldwin) after the boy is sentenced to hang for the accidental killing of a local rancher.
Police arrived to the New Mexico set of “Rust” after a woman was killed and a man was injured on Thursday.
(NEWS NATION via KRQE)
As indicated in the statement, authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
“Mr. Baldwin was questioned by investigators and released,” a rep from the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office said, per the outlet. “No arrests or charges have been filed.”
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They added: “This investigation remains open and active. No charges have been filed in regard to this incident. Witnesses continue to be interviewed by detectives.”
Production on “Rust” has been halted indefinitely.
(NEWS NATION via KRQE)
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A news release from the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were dispatched to the set around 1:50 p.m. local time, and the call indicated an individual had been shot.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
