Halyna Hutchins (cinematographer on "Rust") and Joel Souza (director) were filmed Thursday in the desert at the southern outskirts Santa Fe.
Baldwin spokesperson said that there was an accident that involved the misfired prop gun with blanks. Juan Rios, Santa Fe County Sheriff's spokesperson, said that detectives are investigating the type and manner in which the projectile was fired. There were no immediate charges.
According to Santa Fe New Mexican, Baldwin was seen in tears outside the sheriff’s office on Thursday. However, attempts to reach him for comment were unsuccessful. The 63 year-old actor is well-known for his roles on "30 Rock" (The Hunt for Red October) and his portrayal of President Donald Trump on Saturday Night Live.
Prop guns can fire blanks or gunpowder, which produce a flash and bang but no hard projectile. The trigger is pulled and the plastic or paper wadding is released from the barrel. This can cause lethal injuries at close range. Brandon Lee, an actor on set in 1993, was also killed when a bullet was accidentally left in his prop gun.
Hutchins (42 years old) was flown to a hospital where she was declared dead. Souza, 48 was transported by ambulance to a hospital.
"The details are not clear at the moment, but it is something we are trying to learn more about, and we support an investigation into this tragic incident," International Cinematographers Guild president John Lindley, and Rebecca Rhine, executive director, stated in a statement.
Rios, Rios's spokesperson, stated that Sheriff's Deputies arrived at Bonanza Creek Ranch to assist with the film set. Rios said that they were responding to 911 calls about a person being killed there. It has been featured in numerous films, including the Tom Hanks Western "News of the World".
Rios stated in a statement that "this investigation remains open" and "active". Rios stated that no charges have been brought against anyone in connection with this incident. Detectives are still interviewing witnesses.
Hutchins is a 2015 American Film Institute graduate who was the director of photography for the 2020 action film "Archenemy" starring Joe Manganiello. American Cinematographer named her a "rising star", in 2019.
"I feel so sorry for Halyna. Adam Egypt Mortimer, director of Archenemy, tweeted that he was "so sad" about losing Halyna. "She was a talented talent, who was completely committed to art as well as film."
Manganiello referred to Hutchins as "an amazing talent" and "a wonderful person" via his Instagram account. He stated that he was fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with her.
According to Oleh Nikolenko, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, Hutchins was Ukrainian citizen. The consulate of Ukraine in San Francisco is trying to clarify what happened and is working with law enforcement officials
