Alec Baldwin didn't know weapon that fatally shot cinematographer contained live round, warrant says
Alec Baldwin was handed a loaded weapon by an assistant director who indicated it was safe to use in the moments before the actor fatally shot a cinematographer, court records released Friday show.
The assistant director did not know the prop gun was loaded with live rounds, according to a search warrant filed in a Santa Fe court.
Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot in the chest. Director Joel Souza, who was standing behind her, was wounded, the records show.
The warrant was obtained Friday so that investigators could document the scene at the ranch where the shooting took place. It notes that Baldwin’s blood-stained costume for the Western film “Rust” was taken as evidence, as was the weapon that was fired.
Investigators also seized other prop guns and ammunition that were being used during shooting of the film starring Baldwin.
Earlier in the day, Baldwin described the killing as a "tragic accident." Baldwin was performing at the time of the shooting, the sheriff's office said. It was unclear how many rounds were fired, and little was known about the weapon.
"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. I’m fully cooperating with the police investigation," Baldwin wrote on Twitter. "My heart is broken for her husband, their son, and all who knew and loved Halyna."
The warrant also detailed the following information:
There were three prop guns on a cart near where the crew was rehearsing. An assistant director grabbed one of the guns and handed it to Baldwin.
That assistant director then said to the crew the term "Cold Gun" – which is a term used to let the crew know a gun with no live rounds was being used.
At that point, the search warrant states Baldwin then fired the gun.
Santa Fe County deputies on Thursday responded to Bonanza Creek Ranch where the movie was being filmed after receiving a 911 call saying someone had been shot.
No charges have been filed. In a statement issued Friday, First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies said the case is in the beginning stages of investigation.
"We are assisting the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office and have offered our full support to them," the statement says. "At this time, we do not know if charges will be filed. We will look into all facts and evidence of the case with great discretion and have further information at a later time. Our thoughts are with all affected by this tragedy."
On Friday, the New Mexico Film Office issued a statement on the shooting.
“We along with the entire film community in New Mexico are saddened by the tragedy that happened on the set of Rust, yesterday. We send our deepest condolences to the family of Ms. Halyna Hutchins and are keeping positive thoughts for complete recovery for Mr. Joe Souza. The safety and well-being of all cast, crew and filmmakers in New Mexico is top priority at all times,” the statement read.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reported Baldwin was seen Thursday outside the sheriff’s office in tears.
Prop guns fire blanks, gunpowder charges that produce a flash and a bang but not a hard projectile. But when the trigger is pulled, the paper or plastic wadding is ejected from the barrel with enough force that it can be lethal at close range, as proved to be the case in the death of an actor in 1984. In another on-set accident in 1993, the actor son of martial arts star Bruce Lee was killed after a bullet was left in a prop gun.
Filming for "Rust" was set to continue into early November, according to a news release from the New Mexico Film Office.
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.
The film also stars Jensen Ackles and Travis Fimmel.
In 2016, a man stabbed his co-worker at this same filming location.
That incident happened in April of 2016 when the victim said he was arguing with Jame Ruelas.
He said Ruelas called him to an empty room and attacked him with a carving knife.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.