Actor Alec Baldwin said he is co-operating with authorities and in touch with the family of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who died in an apparent prop gun accident Thursday.
Baldwin shot and killed Hutchins and wounded another crew member, director Joel Souza, on the set of the movie “Rust,” which Baldwin is both starring in and directing, according to authorities. Baldwin reportedly accidentally shot the pair of crew members with a prop gun.
“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 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,” Baldwin said in a pair of tweets sent out from the account of his nonprofit, the Hilaria and Alec Baldwin Foundation.
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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 to address how this tragedy occurred and— AlecBaldwin(HABF) (@AlecBaldwin) October 22, 2021
2- 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.
— AlecBaldwin(HABF) (@AlecBaldwin) October 22, 2021
The Santa Fe Sheriff’s Office released a statement on Thursday after the shooting. Law enforcement is investigating the incident and no charges have been filed. The statement said:
Santa Fe County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the Bonanza Creek Ranch movie set of the western “Rust,” October 21, 2021, when an 911 caller reported a shooting on the set.
The sheriff’s office confirms that two individuals were shot on the set of Rust. Halyna Hutchins, 42, director of photography and Joel Souza, 48, director, were shot when a prop firearm was discharged by Alec Baldwin, 68, producer and actor.
Ms. Hutchins was transported, via helicopter, to University of New Mexico Hospital where she was pronounced dead by medical personnel. Mr. Souza was transported by ambulance to Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical center where he is undergoing treatment for his injuries.
This investigation remains open and active. No charges have been filed in regard to this incident. Witnesses continue to be interviewed by detectives.
Baldwin was interviewed by authorities following the incident. The actor was also captured by photographers in a parking lot, appearing distressed and bending over.
“A distraught Alec Baldwin, after he accidentally shot & killed the cinematographer on the set of his new movie, & wounded the writer-director. How on earth could this have happened?” British pundit Piers Morgan said in a tweet with two photos of Baldwin.
BREAKING: A distraught Alec Baldwin, after he accidentally shot & killed the cinematographer on the set of his new movie, & wounded the writer-director. How on earth could this have happened?
Pics: Jim Weber @thenewmexican pic.twitter.com/xrvcheLaCK— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) October 22, 2021
The International Cinematographer’s Guild released a statement from President John Lindley and Executive Director Rebecca Rhine expressing the union’s condolences for Hutchins’ family.
“We received the devastating news this evening, that one of our members, Halyna Hutchins, the Director of Photography on a production called ‘Rust’ in New Mexico died from injuries sustained on the set,” the statement 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.”
Related: Actor Alec Baldwin Discharges Prop Gun On Movie Set, Killing One, Injuring Another, Authorities Say