Alec Baldwin says he's cooperating with investigation of fatal shooting on 'Rust' set
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"Rust" star and producer Alec Baldwin, who discharged the prop gun that killed the film's director of photography and injured its director, says he's "fully cooperating with the police investigation" into the incident.
The "30 Rock" and "Saturday Night Live" star tweeted his response Friday after the death of rising cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, whose films include "Archenemy,” “Blindfire” and “The Mad Hatter." The shot fired on the New Mexico set also hospitalized director Joel Souza, spurred tributes to Hutchins and many questions about set safety in its wake.
"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," Baldwin wrote Friday in a series of tweets.
"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," he added. "My heart is broken for her husband, their son, and all who knew and loved Halyna."
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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— AlecBaldwin(HABF) (@AlecBaldwin) October 22, 2021
2- 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.
— AlecBaldwin(HABF) (@AlecBaldwin) October 22, 2021
Across Twitter, people in the entertainment industry sent condolences to Hutchins' family, as well as sympathy for director Joel Souza. The accident spurred broader conversations about women breaking through in cinematography and safety on sets, with many wondering how such an incident could have taken place.
"As is profoundly true in the art of cinematography, words alone cannot capture the loss of one so dear to the AFI community. At AFI, we pledge to see that Halyna Hutchins will live on in the spirit of all who strive to see their dreams realized in stories well told," tweeted Hutchins' alma mater, AFI Conservatory.
As is profoundly true in the art of cinematography, words alone cannot capture the loss of one so dear to the AFI community. At AFI, we pledge to see that Halyna Hutchins will live on in the spirit of all who strive to see their dreams realized in stories well told. pic.twitter.com/zhZphl81Us
— AFI Conservatory (@AFIConservatory) October 22, 2021
Others were frustrated that news coverage of the shooting had focused on Baldwin rather than Hutchins.
"I see more than enough pictures of Alec Baldwin, while y’all should honor and post more pictures of the cinematographic Halyna Hutchins who lost her life today in such a tragic accident," said one tweet, sharing several images of Hutchins at work.
"Rest in Peace Halyna Hutchins. The cinematographer who died when Alec Baldwin fired a prop gun and wounded the director. Yes, Alec Baldwin is trending. But it’s Halyna Hutchins who lost her life. #SayHerName," tweeted another.
"I’m in shock," tweeted "Archenemy" star Joe Manganiello." I was so lucky to have had Halyna Hutchins as my DP on Archenemy. An incredible talent & great person. I can’t believe this could happen in this day and age… gunfire from a prop gun could kill a crew member? What a horrible tragedy. My heart goes out to her family."
"My heart goes out to Halyna Hutchins family. What a heartbreaking loss. Sending prayers to Joel Souza. I’m sure everyone is devastated," added actress Patricia Arquette in response to the news.
Bruce Lee’s daughter, Shannon Lee, tweeted: “Our hearts go out to the family of Halyna Hutchins and to Joel Souza and all involved in the incident on ‘Rust.’ No one should ever be killed by a gun on a film set. Period.” (Bruce Lee's son, actor Brandon Lee, died in a gun-related accident on the set of "The Crow" in 1993.)
Baldwin, an outspoken critic of former President Trump, whom he parodied on "Saturday Night Live," was also criticized by those who politicized the shooting. Some users on Twitter began using the hashtag #AlecforPrison.
"Literally not one single thing that Alec Baldwin has said about Donald Trump and his supporters is going to age well," tweeted conservative political commentator Candace Owens.
Others were more empathetic.
"If you’re attacking Alec Baldwin for this horrible tragedy, you are a bad person. Full stop. This is profoundly traumatic for everyone involved," tweeted producer and director Brett Meiselas.
Here's a look at the many mixed reactions and remembrances celebrating Hutchins' life.
My thoughts are with Halyna Hutchins’ friends and family, and I’m hoping that Joel Souza and Alec Baldwin are with the ones they love and receiving the best care possible. What a horrible situation.
— Phil Nobile Jr. (@PhilNobileJr) October 22, 2021
Only 5% of film cinematographers are women which tells you how talented and driven Halyna Hutchins had to be to make it in her field.
We need a full account of what happened on that set. No Hollywood cover up.— Nell Scovell (@NellSco) October 22, 2021
Absolutely horrifying and devastating news about cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins. My heart goes out to her family.
— Elijah Wood (@elijahwood) October 22, 2021
My greatest fear is that someone will be fatally hurt on one of my sets. I pray this will never happen. My heart goes out to all of those affected by the tragedy today on Rust, especially Halyna Hutchins & her family.
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) October 22, 2021
Very troubling that such a thing could even happen these days. No actor should ever be put in the position of pointing any functioning gun towards any person at any time, whether loaded with blank ammunition or not.
— Simon Wood (@SimonWood2k5) October 22, 2021
Our hearts go out to the family of Halyna Hutchins and to Joel Souza and all involved in the incident on “Rust”. No one should ever be killed by a gun on a film set. Period. 💔
— Brandon Bruce Lee (@brandonblee) October 22, 2021
There is no "correct" emotional reaction for when a member of your community dies in a tragic accident. That said, if folks could stop speculating, that would be great. You aren't going to solve anything on twitter, and there will be a thorough investigation. Let's be respectful.
— 𝖊𝖑𝖑𝖊 𝖘𝖕𝖎𝖉𝖊𝖗 🕷️🕸️ (@elleschneider) October 22, 2021
Here’s the thread about Halyna that I posted last year when we released the movie.
I was lucky to have known her and to have worked with her. ❤️ https://t.co/FgorxuqwMv— Adam Egypt Mortimer (@adamegypt) October 22, 2021
I’m gutted. This is beyond a tragedy and there are so many rules in place to make sure this can’t happen. I can’t even fathom how this is possible. So many people had to be negligent. This is a crime. Halyna was a tremendous talent. I’m sick to my stomach. https://t.co/JviMb0aupu
— Paul Scheer (@paulscheer) October 22, 2021
From time to time I think about Sarah Jones, and tonight I am thinking about her, and Halyna Hutchins, and others whose names I don't know. No one should have to pay with their life to make tv/movies. Sending love to 600.
— Jamie Tunkel (@jamietunkel) October 22, 2021
Not jumping to conclusions on the #AlecBaldwin thing, but my generation had Brandon Lee (Bruce Lee’s son) die from literally the same thing. A loaded gun on a movie set.
Hollywood said there would never be a non-plugged gun on a set again. Guess that didn’t last.— Brianna Wu (@BriannaWu) October 22, 2021
Someone hurt or killed on my set is my worst nightmare. Sending love to Halyna Hutchins' family, @JensenAckles, cast & crew of "Rust." I'm so sorry. In her memory, a simple, easy pledge: no more guns with blanks on any of my sets ever. We'll use VFX muzzle flashes. Who's with me?
— Eric Kripke (@therealKripke) October 22, 2021
RIP Halyna Hutchins. I’ve worked on a few shows with guns involved and the safety protocols were so intense they ALMOST seemed excessive. There has to be better way. This is senseless
— Liz Jenkins (@ej11lizzie) October 22, 2021
If you’re attacking Alec Baldwin for this horrible tragedy, you are a bad person. Full stop. This is profoundly traumatic for everyone involved. I cannot even begin to imagine the guilt, sadness and devastation everyone involved is currently feeling.
— Brett Meiselas (@BMeiselas) October 22, 2021
One can have empathy for BOTH the family of Halyna Hutchins and Alec Baldwin in this heart-wrenching tragedy. Even if you disagree with him.
My heart just breaks. I can’t even imagine.— Steven Crowder (@scrowder) October 22, 2021
A thread about Halyna Hutchins.
What a loss. What a horrible, senseless tragedy.
My thoughts are with her friends and family. https://t.co/d6h2A4UpgR— Brian Lynch (@BrianLynch) October 22, 2021
Lots of politically charged chatter about the Alec Baldwin incident. It's a horrific tragedy. A young woman lost her life. Tragedies happen. Not everything needs to be politicized. R.I.P. Halyna Hutchins.
— Don Lewis (@DonLew87) October 22, 2021
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.