Movie star and producer Alec Baldwin has accidentally killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injured director Joel Souza with a prop gun.
The horrifying incident occurred on the set of Rust, an independent feature that is being filmed at Bonanza Creek Ranch in Santa Fe, Mexico.
A local sheriff’s office said that Hutchins and Souza “were shot when a prop firearm was discharged by Alec Baldwin, 68, producer and actor.” They received the 911 call reporting the incident at 1:50 pm.
According to the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s office, Hutchins, 42, was airlifted to the University of New Mexico Hospital in Alburquerque but died from her injuries. Souza, 48, is currently being treated at a Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center in Santa Fe for his injuries.
John Lindley, president of the International Cinematographers Guild, Local 600, said “The details are unclear at this moment, but we are working to learn more, and we support a full investigation into this tragic event. This is a terrible loss, and we mourn the passing of a member of our Guild’s family.”
Cinematographer and friend to Hutchins, Michael Pessah recalled her as “a wonderful, positive, creative person that was so excited to be breaking through and making movies… She was really on the upswing.”
Alec Baldwin accidentally discharged a prop gun that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounded director Joel Souza on the New Mexico film set of “Rust.”#RIP Halyna Hutchins pic.twitter.com/qOfNKiHomT
— Deniride (@Edirined) October 22, 2021
No arrest has been made and no charges have been filed. However, the case is under an “open and active” investigation, where detectives will continue to interview witnesses.
In a terrible case of history repeating itself, Bruce Lee’s son Brandon Lee was shot and killed by a prop gun in 1993.
A video of the location where the incident unfolded can be seen below:
