Here’s the latest on the Alec Baldwin shooting that left one crew member dead and another injured during the production of the film, “Rust,” at a ranch in New Mexico last week. . .
TMZ is reporting that real bullets were stored next to blanks on the set and that cast members used the guns from the film for target practice in their downtime:
The gun was supposedly being used for target practice, with real bullets. https://t.co/i9iu0tBZSk
— TMZ (@TMZ) October 24, 2021
Gun expert Stephen Gutowski adds, “If this is true, the amount of negligence is astounding”:
If this is true, the amount of negligence is astounding. https://t.co/HRAbwgEMD4
— Stephen Gutowski (@StephenGutowski) October 24, 2021
This would explain how real ammunition was on the set but it actually makes their failures even worse:
This report claims the gun was handled by at least three people who thought it was unloaded. Nobody took the few moments necessary to check the cylinder to verify it was actually unloaded. This could have been stopped at several different points by several different people.
— Stephen Gutowski (@StephenGutowski) October 24, 2021
There is particular outrage targeting Dave Halls, the first assistant director on the film, who allegedly handled the gun given to Baldwin and whose job is to basically oversee everything going on with the day-to-day operations on the set:
The outrage and disbelief over the death of “Rust” cinematographer Halyna Hutchins have many in the Hollywood production community talking about one man at the center of the tragedy: first assistant director Dave Halls. https://t.co/itq0l6y6sv
— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) October 24, 2021
It was Halls who allegedly shouted, “Cold gun!” before handing the weapon to Baldwin:
According to a search warrant filed by the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Dept. and obtained by @AP, Halls picked up 1 of 3 guns from a cart that had been prepared by the production’s armorer. He allegedly declared “cold gun” as he was handing it to Baldwin. https://t.co/itq0l6y6sv
— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) October 24, 2021
There are also media reports that Halls was criticized on other films for ignoring crew safety:
Alec Baldwin assistant director had history of unsafe practices, prop maker says https://t.co/nl4762cQwd pic.twitter.com/eliSzZ5DP0
— New York Post (@nypost) October 24, 2021
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the 24-year-armorer, is also coming under scrutiny. The Daily Mail reported that she gave a child a gun on the set of a previous film without checking it first:
Alec Baldwin had a 24 year old armorer in charge of firearms safety.
This is how the world works now.
You don’t get hired based on merit.
If people die, that’s acceptable to Hollywood. pic.twitter.com/H5mDjYgedu
— Cernovich (@Cernovich) October 24, 2021
And in this morning’s Los Angeles Times, “Rust” crewmember Serge Svetnoy, who reportedly held Huchens as she died, went public and ripped into the producers of the film — meaning, Alec Baldwin — for being too cheap to hire an experienced armorer:
From Serge Svetnoy, the gaffer who was next to Hutchens when she died: "No saved penny is worth the LIFE of the person." https://t.co/a2JLUWQScI pic.twitter.com/uT7ZkWl886
— Adam Conover (@adamconover) October 25, 2021
To be clear, “Rust” was Baldwin’s project from its inception and he planned to enter the film in Cannes:
Alec Baldwin is set to star in 'Rust,' one of the first projects heading to Cannes' inaugural digital market. The Oscar nominee is also producing the film, alongside Anjul Nigam. https://t.co/vsfzek39ZB
— Captivate (@Captivate) May 29, 2020
As for safety procedures on the set, actor Robert Davi posted this short video explaining that the actor should check the gun after it is handed to him or her to confirm that it is either loaded or unloaded. Meaning, Alec Baldwin should have done this rather than just rely on Halls:
There are very defined protocols an actor must go through to have a weapon on set – Prayers for Halyna Hutchins May she RIP pic.twitter.com/O5mSFKlnCq
— Robert Davi (@RobertJohnDavi) October 22, 2021
Actor Adam Baldwin called it negligence, especially since Baldwin was in rehearsal and was pointing the gun at crew at the time:
Why did he aim, cock and pull the trigger – of his unchecked weapon – in the direction of crewmembers during a rehearsal?
Ans: Negligence.https://t.co/Vti3NwhqIp
— Adam Baldwin (@AdamBaldwin) October 24, 2021
Actor Nick Searcy questioned why the “trigger would be pulled under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES during rehearsal”:
This is it. Why on Earth a trigger would be pulled under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES during a rehearsal is hard to understand. https://t.co/SuhiZT3opU
— Nick Searcy, INSURRECTIONAL FILM & TELEVISION STAR (@yesnicksearcy) October 24, 2021
It does appear that the wagons are being circled to protect Baldwin:
They are trying to find someone to pin it on to save Alec. It’s revolting. https://t.co/TGL4frCipG
— Nick Searcy, INSURRECTIONAL FILM & TELEVISION STAR (@yesnicksearcy) October 24, 2021
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