Injured director in Alec Baldwin shooting pays tribute to friend after release from hospital

The director who was injured when a cinematographer was accidentally shot dead by Alec Baldwin has said that he is “gutted” by her death.

Joel Souza was shot in the shoulder during the filming of Rust in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and has since been discharged after being taken to hospital.

Speaking for the first time since the incident, Mr Souza said he was “gutted by the loss of my friend and colleague Halyna”.

“She was kind, vibrant, incredibly talented, fought for every inch and always pushed me to be better,” he said in a statement.

“My thoughts are with her family at this most difficult time. I am humbled and grateful by the outpouring of affection we have received from our film-making community, the people of Santa Fe, and the hundreds of strangers who have reached out… It will surely aid in my recovery."

It follows Halyna Hutchins’ husband speaking of his “enormous loss” after her death.

In an emotional tribute, Matthew Hutchins said his wife of 16 years had a powerful legacy which he could not put into words.

Posting a picture on social media of Ms Hutchins with their eight-year-old son, Andros, he wrote: “Halyna inspired us all with her passion and vision, and her legacy is too meaningful to encapsulate in words.

“Our loss is enormous, and we ask that the media please respect my family’s privacy as we process our grief.

“We thank everyone for sharing images and stories of her life.”

‘This is devastating’

Mr Hutchins previously said he had been in touch with Baldwin, who he said was being “very supportive”.

Ms Hutchins, 42, was described by her former colleagues as a “brilliant talent” and “rockstar cinematographer”.

The American Film Institute (AFI) said she was “so dear to the AFI community”.

Mr Hutchins thanked the AFI for creating a scholarship in his wife’s memory to provide support to aspiring female cinematographers.

“Anyone seeking to honour her memory, please direct your giving to this fund,” he said.

Commenting on Ms Hutchins’ final Instagram post – a video of her riding a horse through New Mexico – film director James Cullen Bressack said: “I will miss you my friend... This is devastating.”