Is Alec Baldwin responsible for Halyna Hutchins’s death?
Rust assistant director David Halls recently spoke out for the first time since Halyna Hutchins died while filming the movie. According to investigators, Halls was the last person who handled the infamous gun before giving it to Alec Baldwin. Halyna Hutchins was then killed by lead fired from the said gun.
Halls said in a statement that “Halyna Hutchins was not just one of the most talented people I’ve worked with, but also a friend.” However, Halls didn’t speak on specifics regarding the accident. He also didn’t comment on being the last person to touch the firearm before it was used by Alec Baldwin. Authorities are still trying to understand how the accident occurred.
Halls’ statement
Regarding Halyna Hutchins, Halls publicly said “I’m shocked and saddened by her death.” Halls also acknowledged the greater implications of the occurrence, saying “It’s my hope that this tragedy prompts the industry to reevaluate its values and practices to ensure no one is harmed through the creative process again.”
David Halls continued by saying he’s been “overwhelmed by the love and support.” Still, Halls assured that “my thoughts are with all who knew and loved Halyna.” Forty-two-year-old cinematographer & mother Halyna Hutchins was killed on October 21st. Forty-eight-year-old director Joel Souza was also wounded in the incident.
However, what occurred before this tragedy took place?
Lead-up to the shooting
Authorities in Santa Fe claim that Halls was one of three people who handled the gun before the mishap. Alec Baldwin was another person, as well as twenty-four-year-old armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed. Gutierrez-Reed was only working on her second film as an armorer. Additionally, she was to hand the gun to Halls, who’d make sure no live rounds were present.
Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said that police were still trying to figure out how real bullets got on the set of Rust. Halls told authorities that he didn’t remember how thoroughly he inspected the gun before he handed it to Baldwin.
According to an affidavit filed in Santa Fe County Magistrate Court, Joel Souza told investigators “David advised when Hannah showed him the firearm before continuing rehearsal.” Souza continued by saying David “could only remember seeing three rounds.” Souza added that Halls “advised he should have checked all of them, but didn’t, and couldn’t recall if she spun the drum.”
A source told The New York Post that two staffers told police that they didn’t see Halls remove the gun from Gutierrez-Reed’s armory cart. Witnesses also claim that Halls didn’t call “cold gun” before giving the weapon to Alec Baldwin. Affidavits state that the gun in question was one of three that was in the armorer’s cart during the rehearsal.
Halyna Hutchins’ untimely death
Alec Baldwin pointed the prop gun at the camera during a rehearsal for a scene in Rust. The accident occurred in a church set built by production designers. Halyna Hutchins & Joel Souza were both positioned behind the camera. Unfortunately, they were right in the way of the lead projectile which flew from the weapon.
Halyna Hutchins was hit in the stomach & bled out on-set before paramedics could save her. Joel Souza was also injured in the accident. Luckily for Souza, he didn’t bear the brunt of the shot. Hannah Gutierrez-Reed told investigators that she checked the “‘dummies’ and ensured they were not ‘hot rounds.’”
Gutierrez-Reed’s attorneys claim she didn’t know live rounds got in the weapon. They also claimed that she was understaffed & undertrained, as well as ignored for her safety suggestions. Perhaps if Gutierrez-Reed was listened to, Halyna Hutchins would still be alive.
—
As of today, no charges have been filed. The investigation into the shooting death of Halyna Hutchins is ongoing. What do you think of the Rust accident? Let us know in the comments.
