American star Alec Baldwin confirmed that he was “heartbroken” a day after he probably accidentally killed a director of photography after he fired a pistol that was supposed to be loaded with bullets while making a clip for a new movie in New Mexico.
“I can’t find words to express my astonishment and sadness after the tragic incident that took the life of Helena Hutchins,” Baldwin wrote on Twitter, after he used a firearm during the filming of “Rust”, which injured the director of photography, who soon died of her injuries, as well as director Joel Sousa.
“I am fully cooperating with the police investigation into the manner in which this tragedy occurred and am in contact with (Halina Hutchins’) husband to provide him and his family with support,” Baldwin added.
Hutchins, 42, was airlifted to a nearby hospital, where doctors soon declared her dead.
As for the film’s director, Joel Sousa, 48, was hospitalized, where he was treated for hours before his release, according to a tweet on Twitter posted by the actress in the film, Frances Fisher, after receiving a text message from the director.
The Hollywood Reporter quoted a spokesman for the production team as saying that the “accident”, as he described it, was caused by the shooting of a shooting weapon that was supposed to be loaded with chelating bullets.
The police also indicated that the accident was apparently caused by a weapon that was being used for photographic purposes.
The statement indicated that the investigation continues on Friday, noting that no judicial charges have yet been brought.
“Police have questioned Baldwin,” Santa Fe police spokesman Juan Rios told AFP, adding that the actor “made his statement and answered some questions.”
He pointed out that the star “voluntarily attended” the company’s center “and left after the investigation was completed”, stressing that “no judicial accusations were filed and no one was arrested.”
The local newspaper, Santa Fe, New Mexico, published photos of Baldwin in an apparent distraught state, taken in the parking lot on the set after the tragedy. The newspaper indicated that its reporters saw the actor crying after being questioned by investigators. One photograph shows a seated man with his back bent, believed to be Baldwin.
“Today’s tragedy has devastated all the cast and crew, and our sincere condolences go out to Halina’s family and loved ones,” a production team spokesperson said in a statement.
“We have suspended filming indefinitely and are cooperating fully” with the investigation, he added.
“Rust” is a Western movie written and directed by Joel Sousa and starring Alec Baldwin, who also co-produces the work and plays an outlaw named Harland Rust who comes to the rescue of his 13-year-old grandson who has been convicted He was sentenced to death by hanging for murder.
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