What are prop weapons, why are they so dangerous, and what could have gone wrong for Alec Baldwin to shoot one fatally?

Authorities are investigating what type of projectile actor Alec Baldwin accidentally fired with a prop pistol while filming the film

in New Mexico, killing the cinematographer and injuring the director.

A 63-year-old Baldwin spokesman said

a

pistol was

fired

with blank bullets.

The actor has not commented publicly on the accident.

Actor Alec Baldwin during a US Open tennis game in New York on Sept. 12, 2021.John Minchillo / AP

This type of weapon fires blank bullets loaded with a powder that produces a flash and an explosion when activated, but not a hard projectile.

However, it

if the trigger is pulled from close range.

[The FBI confirms that the remains found in a Florida swamp are Brian Laundrie, Gabby Petito's boyfriend]

Halyna Hutchins, 42, died at the hospital where she was rushed to by helicopter.

Joel Souza, 48, was admitted to Christus St. Vincent Medical Center in Santa Fe.

Actress Frances Fisher, who is part of the cast of this

, reported on the social network Twitter on Thursday night that Souza had confirmed that he had already left the hospital.

Authorities

in connection with the incident, but reported that the investigation remains open: "Detectives continue to interview witnesses."

Baldwin was questioned at the sheriff's office hours after the accident and

nearby, according to The Santa Fe New Mexican newspaper.

What are prop weapons?

In the world of entertainment, weapons props or

are essential to recreate scenes shots.

These are generally dummy weapons, but real weapons are also used with dummy ammunition that mimics a detonation with flashes and sound.

This is how Alec Baldwin was caught after shooting a prop gun that ended the life of a woman

Oct. 22, 202103: 34

The danger is that they can inflict life-threatening injuries if fired at

, as was the case with actor Jon-Erik Hexum in 1984 when he died after being shot with a blank gun.

That is why, normally, there is

who is in charge of handling the weapons, including the blank load.

That person supervises the correct operation of weapons and cargo, and

.

Productions also often require the use of shields during filming, such as bulletproof vests, but not during rehearsals.

Live ammunition is not allowed.

“When shooting a movie with weapons, you have to make a lot of decisions: each accessory must be appropriate for the character and the scene.

You also

"explained filmmakers Christopher Gist and Sarah Mayberry in an article published on the informative website The Conversation.

"But the most important thing is that

" they insisted.

“A weapon without ammunition is not dangerous.

But even so, on the set there is always a gunsmith, a security officer and a stunt coordinator: at least three people who are always on the lookout for weapons ”, they stressed.

Actor Alec Baldwin accidentally kills a woman with a prop weapon during a shoot

Oct. 22, 202100: 25

This opens the door to wonder if

failed

before Baldwin fatally tampered with the weapon that killed and injured fellow producers.

What happened during filming

Police received a call around 1:50 p.m. (New Mexico local time) about

at Bonanza Creek Ranch, a popular filming location for more than 60 years that has six film sets and one city ​​with 24 buildings

"According to investigators, it appears that a prop firearm was used in the filmed scene when it was unloaded," explained the spokesman for the sheriff's office, Juan Ríos.

"Detectives are investigating how and what type of projectile was discharged," he said.

"The safety of our cast and crew remains our top priority

," the spokesperson added.