Action scenes often involve weapons of some sort, like guns, swords, knives, or other items. Usually, the prop guns are unloaded to ensure safety. If they are not, the actor is fully aware. But this time, Alec Baldwin was simply handed a gun and told it was “safe.” Unfortunately, it was not safe, and Halyna Hutchins, the cinematographer, died and Joel Souza, the director, was injured on the set of Rust.

“Joel [Souza] stated that they had Alec [Baldwin] sitting in a pew in a church building setting, and he was practicing a cross draw,” as stated in an affidavit. “Joel said he was looking over the shoulder of [Hutchins], when he heard what sounded like a whip and then loud pop.”

Safety is the most important aspect of any production, whether it be a play, musical, or movie. Directors and staff have to be sure of that. If not, lives can be lost, just like Hutchins. Rust had several issues with safety on set. These issues became so concerning that union members of the crew left just six hours before the incident. The studio then replaced them with non-union workers unfamiliar with the set.

Baldwin was handed what he thought was a prop gun, to rehearse a movie scene in the upcoming movie Rust. That gun was in fact live as the assistant director never completed the safety check.

Assistant director Dave Halls was in charge of checking the gun, but afterward, he admitted to police that “before continuing rehearsal, he could only remember seeing three rounds.” He also told police that he never made sure all the rounds had dummy bullets in them, which is a recipe for disaster.

Director Souza reported hearing a pop and then aided Hutchins to the ground after she was shot. He then was shot himself, but later recovered. Hutchins reported not being able to feel her legs, and unfortunately, died at the University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque later that day.

Souza was also shot on the set after aiding Hutchins and was transported to Christus St. Vincent’s Hospital, where his injuries were proved non-fatal and he was later released. 

Baldwin has sincerely apologized since the incident, and still claims innocence in the matter. “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 on Twitter the following Friday.

Hutchin’s husband, Matthew Hutchins, has lawyered up, blaming the set for personal injury and saying it was unsafe. Both Halls and Baldwin have since responded to that claim, saying it was not their responsibility and the accusations are false. 

As the investigation furthers into a cycle of chaos and blame, others are expected to hire attorneys. Mamie Mitchell, the script supervisor, and Serge Svetnoy, the chief lighting technician, have also filed lawsuits against Baldwin and other production figures.