A US prosecutor has said criminal charges are possible in the fatal shooting on the set of the film Rust.
Last Thursday, actor Alec Baldwin accidentally misfired a prop gun on the set of his new movie in New Mexico, killing the film’s cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza.
Alec had been told the gun did not contain live ammunition before he started rehearsing with the weapon.
Santa Fe County district attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies said “we haven’t ruled out anything” in the investigation.
“Everything at this point, including criminal charges, is on the table,” she added.
She will be joined by Santa Fe County sheriff Adan Mendoza today for a highly awaited press conference into the tragedy.
The district attorney said the investigation is focusing on what kind of round was in the gun that killed 42-year-old Halyna, and who placed the ammunition in the weapon.
She said: “There were an enormous amount of bullets on this set and we need to find out what kinds they were.”
“It’s probably weeks, if not months, of follow-up investigation that we’re going to need to get to the point of charging,” Mary noted.
The prosecutor also took issue with reports that the weapon was a “prop gun” as it has been named in court documents, and explained it was an “antique-era appropriate gun”.
Officers were called to the Bonanza Creek Ranch in New Mexico, where the incident occurred, at about 1.50 pm on Thursday, after receiving the 911 call.
Halyna, 42, was transported via helicopter to University of New Mexico Hospital, but was later pronounced dead.
Joel, 48, was treated for his injuries at Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center, and was later released.
On Friday, authorities said assistant director Dave Halls had handed the weapon to Alec and announced “cold gun”, indicating it was safe to use.
Alec addressed the incident in a statement last week, tweeting: “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 and 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.”
