Alec Baldwin gave his first on-camera comments after the accidental shooting and death of Halyna Hutchins on the set of Rust. The footage can be seen on TMZ. In the video, Alec Baldwin strongly emphasizes that he has been ordered by the Santa Fe sheriff’s department that he cannot speak on the details regarding the investigation of the shooting. He also made clear that he and Hutchins were friends, and that he took her to dinner when he arrived on set. He also said that he is actively in touch with Hutchins’ family, as are the authorities. Baldwin also says that he is in favor of tightening safety restrictions on movie sets, even banning guns and live ammo altogether.
When asked if he believes production on the film will start up again, he responded with “I doubt it.”
According to Variety, when the incident happened, Baldwin was told that the gun he was holding had no live ammo. Most media outlets agree that Baldwin appears somber and upset whenever he is seen in public. In this video, it is clear his emotions are high, as are those of his wife Hilaria.
The incident took place on October 22 when a prop gun that Baldwin was holding accidentally went off, killing Hutchins and wounding writer and director Joel Souza. No charges have been filed as of yet, but the investigation is still ongoing.
This is not the first incident of an onset killing from a loaded gun. Brandon Lee, actor Bruce Lee’s son, was accidentally shot and killed on the set of 1994’s The Crow. This most recent incident is causing many to advocate for tighter safety measures on movie sets, including the possible banning of firearms.
Should Halyna Hutchins’ death be considered a wake-up call? Is Alec Baldwin right when he says that there should be tighter safety restrictions? Should live ammo ever be used on a movie set?
