(ANSA) - ROME, OCTOBER 23 - Alec Baldwin was given a loaded weapon by an assistant director who had indicated it was safe, shortly before the tragic accident that happened to the life of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins while shooting a western film in a Santa Fe ranch. This was revealed by the first documents on the investigation released by the American media.
According to investigators, however, assistant director David Halls was unaware that the weapon had live bullets before delivering it to Baldwin.
Assistant Halls had handed the gun to Baldwin shouting "cold gun," which meant the gun had no real bullets. At that point the actor hit director of photography Halyna Hutchins in the chest, killing her. While director Joel Souza, who was behind her, was dismayed.
Investigators confiscated all the weapons and ammunition present in the set, the cameras and computer equipment and the clothes worn by the actors at the time of the shooting. The Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office said the investigation "remains open" and that no charges have been filed.
According to the Los Angeles Times and other media outlets, several members of the crew abandoned production due to concerns about safety conditions and issues, including gun safety procedures, and Covid protocols not followed prior to filming.
But in a statement the production company, Rust, stressed that "the safety of our cast and crew is the top priority. And" even though we have not been notified of any official complaints regarding the safety of weapons or props on set, we will conduct a review. internal procedures, while production is interrupted ". (ANSA).