“... we support a full investigation into this tragic event.”
International Cinematographers Guild in a statement on the death caused by a prop gun fired on set by actor Alec Baldwin.
Published on
oct 22, 2021
- Actor Alec Baldwin (63) fired a prop gun on the set of a new western movie in production in Santa Fe, New Mexico, killing the cinematographer and injuring the director of photography.
- After the prop gun was fired, cinematographer Halyna Hutchens (42), whom American Cinematographer had named a "rising star" in 2019, was airlifted to a hospital where she was pronounced dead due to her injuries.
- Director of photography Joel Souza (48) was taken to a medical center by ambulance.
- No charges have yet been filed as the investigation remains active and ongoing. Baldwin appeared at the Santa Fe sheriff's office voluntarily for interviews, according to the Santa Fe sheriff's spokesperson.
- Big Picture: Prop guns fire blanks and gunpowder to create a bang; if fired at close range, however, the plastic or paper wadding released from the barrel of the gun can be lethal. This tragic event on the set of a film is not the first of its kind. In 1993, Bruce Lee's son died while filming a movie when a prop gun was fired and released a projectile fragment.
Sheriff: Baldwin fired prop gun that killed cinematographer
Alec Baldwin fatally shoots woman with prop gun on movie set
Alec Baldwin released a statement Friday on his Twitter feed:
"There are no words to convey my shock and sadness regarding the tragic accident that took the life of Halyna Hutchins, a wife, mother and deeply admired colleague of ours. I'm fully cooperating with the police investigation to address how this tragedy occurred ... I am in touch with her husband, offering my support to him and his family. My heart is broken for her husband, their son, and all who knew and loved Halyna."