Police say that Alec Baldwin, an actor, fired a gun at a set of movie cameras Thursday. He killed the director of photography and injured his director.
According to the Santa Fe County Sheriff's office, Halyna Hutchins (42), was killed and Joel Souza (48), was injured while filming "Rust" a Western. The Bonanza Creek Ranch is in Sante Fe.
Hutchins was flown by helicopter to the University of New Mexico Hospital, where she was declared dead. Souza was taken to Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center for treatment of his injuries.
Investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting is ongoing. There have been no charges.
"We were shocked to learn that Halyna Hutchins (Director of Photography for a New Mexico production called Rust) has died due to injuries sustained on the set," John Lindley, president of the International Cinematographers Guild and Rebecca Rhine, executive director, said in a statement to Variety.
The statement stated that although the details of this tragedy are not clear at this time, we are still trying to find out more and support an investigation. This is a tragic loss and we mourn the loss of a member our Guild's families.
Hutchins graduated in 2015 from the American Film Institute. Before joining "Archenemy," she was part of several short films. Joe Manganiello stars in the 2020 feature film.
She is originally from Ukraine and holds a graduate diploma in international journalism from Kyiv National University. Prior to that, she worked as an investigative reporter for British document productions in Europe.
She was named one of America's Rising Stars in 2019 by American Cinematographers.
Hutchins' passing echos the death of actor Brandon Lee. Lee was the son of martial art movie legend Bruce Lee. Brandon Lee was killed in 1993 after being shot with a prop gun during filming of "The Crow".
Baldwin's spokesperson said that there was an accident on the New Mexico Rust set today. It involved the misfired of a prop gun with blanks. "Production has been stopped for now. Our top priority is to ensure the safety of our crew and cast.
Baldwin, 63 is a coproducer of "Rust." He plays Harland Rust the notorious outlaw, whose 13 year-old grandson is convicted for an accidental murder. Rust travels from Kansas to free his grandson. The two fugitives must escape the U.S. Marshal Wood Helm, bounty-hunter Fenton “Preacher” Lang.
Baldwin uploaded an Instagram photo earlier Thursday in which he was dressed up for the film. He had fake blood on his shirt.
Baldwin is best known for his portrayal of President Donald Trump on Saturday Night Live and for his role in "30 Rock" on NBC. He has also been nominated and won multiple Emmy and Golden Globe Awards.
Baldwin hosted "SNL," 17 times. He also starred in films such as "The Departed," Glengarry Glen Ross", and "Mission Impossible". He was also the producer of director Souza's film, "Crown Vic."
Baldwin is known for his tendency to lose his temper. This has led to him being arrested. Baldwin pleaded guilty in 2019 to harassment of another person over a dispute about a Manhattan parking spot. This was in November 2018. In that case, he agreed to anger management counseling.
He was also arrested for riding his bike the wrong way and for disorderly behavior after he became belligerent towards the officers who stopped him.
Baldwin was also cleared of misdemeanor battery after he was accused of punching a California freelance photographer in 1995 and breaking his nose.
Hilaria Baldwin is the actor's wife. They have six children together. From his previous marriage with actress Kim Basinger, he has a daughter called Ireland.
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