New details after Baldwin shooting: US authorities imposed a fine

Created: 04/21/2022, 10:41 am

In October 2021, Hollywood actor Alec Baldwin accidentally shot and killed a camerawoman with a prop gun while filming.

The producers are now threatened with a fine.

Los Angeles - It happened while filming the low-budget western "Rust" in New Mexico: actor Alec Baldwin accidentally shot camerawoman Halyana Hutchins.

Director Joel Souza was hit in the shoulder and injured.

According to information from Agence France-Presse (AFP), US authorities have now imposed a fine of almost 137,000 dollars (126,000 euros) on the film's producers.

This is "the highest fine permitted under New Mexico state law," the local health authorities said on Wednesday.

The criminal investigations by the police and the public prosecutor's office are still ongoing.

The revolver was apparently loaded with at least one real bullet.

It is not yet clear how this could have happened.

Baldwin had used the loaded gun in a rehearsal for a movie scene.

Alec Baldwin was involved in the film not only as a lead actor but also as one of the producers.

According to information from the German Press Agency (dpa), Baldwin has repeatedly rejected the blame for the death of the camerawoman in interviews*.

It was a "horrible tragedy", but he was not responsible for the accident.

Alec Baldwin accidentally shoots camerawoman: US authorities accuse film producers of indifference

New Mexico authorities launched an investigation into possible health and safety violations following the shooting on set.

In a report released by the Environment Ministry, they conclude that producers have shown "obvious indifference to the dangers of firearms".

According to AFP, the report said that the safety rules were “routinely” not observed.

Live ammunition was brought to the film set, and some weapons were left unattended there.

In addition, those responsible ignored complaints from employees about previous incidents with firearms.

Actors on location also pointed firearms at cameras or other people without consulting a weapons expert.

After actor Alec Baldwin accidentally shot and killed a camerawoman while shooting a film, a US authority fined the producers.

© Evan Agostini/dpa

"Our investigation has determined that this tragic incident would never have occurred had Rust Movie Productions LLC followed national motion picture industry firearm safety standards," said New Mexico Environmental Cabinet Secretary James Kenney.

The production company had "completely failed to follow recognized national rules that protect employees".

After a deadly shot on the film set: lawyers for gunsmiths speak of sabotage

A spokesman for the production company, Stefan Friedman, said in a statement to AFP that Rust Movie Productions recognizes the work that authorities have put into the investigation, but disagrees with the "findings" of the investigation and plans to "appeal." “.

"Our thoughts and prayers remain with Halyana's family," Friedman added.

In the course of the criminal investigations by the police and the public prosecutor's office, no one has yet been formally accused or even charged.

However, the investigators have not ruled out that this could still happen.

Hutchin's family has sued Alec Baldwin and other film contributors.

She is demanding “significant” damages.

According to the dpa, a weapons master sued a man who had delivered props and ammunition to the film set.

The armorer's lawyers would have spoken of sabotage*: A bullet with live ammunition could have been placed in a box of dummy cartridges.

(ter with dpa/AFP)