A Hollywood weapons expert has opened up about the terrible death on Alec Baldwin's latest movie set.
The A-lister was using a prop gun when he accidentally shot the cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins, while scenes were being filmed for Rust. She later died from her injuries after being airlifted to hospital.
The director, Joel Souza, was also injured in the incident and he's since been discharged from hospital.
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Hollywood firearms consultant Bryan Carpenter of Dark Thirty Film Services told The New York Post that Baldwin didn't follow the number one safety advice: "Loaded or unloaded, a weapon never gets pointed at another human being."
"You never let the muzzle of a weapon cover something you don't intend to destroy. All guns are always loaded. Even if they are not, treat them as if they are."
He added that when weapons are involved in a movie scene, the actor will aim it at a 'dummy spot' and never at someone involved in production.
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There's also a big difference to how the weapon is loaded depending on if real scenes are being filmed or if it's just rehearsing.
"You have to make sure that the weapon is truly cold, which means there should have been no rounds in there, period. And especially if it's a rehearsal," Mr Carpenter explained to CNN.
The father of Halyna Hutchins, Anatoly Androsovych, said his family is in disbelief over his daughter's tragic death but he doesn't lay any blame on Baldwin.
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Speaking to The Sun, he said: "We still can't believe Halyna is dead and her mother is going out of her mind with grief.
"But I don't hold Alec Baldwin responsible - it is the responsibility of the props people who handle the guns."
It is believed Baldwin was unaware he had been handed a loaded gun.
Court records show the assistant director said 'cold gun' just before the shooting took place, not knowing the prop gun was loaded with live rounds, according to a search warrant filed in a Santa Fe court.
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Baldwin has since said he is 'fully cooperating' with police, having said in a statement on social media.
"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," he wrote.
"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.
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"My heart is broken for her husband, their son, and all who knew and loved Halyna."
A spokesperson for Rust Movies Productions LLC has confirmed the production has been halted 'for an undetermined period of time' as a result of the events.
The spokesperson added that the 'entire cast and crew has been absolutely devastated' by the tragedy and that counselling services will be provided to everyone connected to the film.
Featured Image Credit: Dennis Van Tine/ABACAPRESS.COMTopics: Entertainment, Celebrity
