Alec Baldwin Fires Prop Gun That Kills Cinematographer

'Rust' director also seriously injured in incident on film set
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 22, 2021 1:16 AM CDT
Alec Baldwin Fires Prop Gun That Kills Cinematographer
This aerial video image provided by KOAT 7 News, shows Santa Fe County Sheriff's Officers responding to the scene of a fatal accidental shooting at a Bonanza Creek, Ranch movie set near Santa Fe, N.M. Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021.   (KOAT 7 News via AP)

In a tragic accident Thursday, Alec Baldwin fired a prop gun on the set of his new movie Rust that, somehow, killed the film's cinematographer and left the director injured. Authorities were called to the Bonanza Creek Ranch set Thursday afternoon; they airlifted Halyna Hutchins, 42, to a New Mexico hospital where she later died, People reports. Joel Souza, 48, also received emergency treatment for injuries that were initially described as critical; his current condition has not been made public, Deadline reports. The movie's production company says in a statement that the cast and crew are "absolutely devastated," and that production has been halted for an undetermined amount of time, the New York Times reports.

"There was an accident today on the New Mexico set of Rust involving the misfire of a prop gun with blanks," Baldwin's rep says in a statement. Authorities are still investigating exactly what happened and what type of projectile was discharged. "Mr. Baldwin was questioned by investigators and released," a Santa Fe Sheriff’s Department official says. "No arrests or charges have been filed." Earlier in the day, Fox News reports, Baldwin had shared a photo of himself in full costume for the western, captioned, "Back to in person at the office. Blimey … it’s exhausting." The post has since been deleted. (More Alec Baldwin stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X