Alec Baldwin film tragedy: Actor fired live, police say

Alec Baldwin was given a gun with a bullet inside in a movie set in New Mexico, the local sheriff said.

On Thursday, the actor accidentally killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injured film director Joel Souza.

Authorities recovered around 600 pieces of evidence relating to the investigation, including three firearms and 500 bullets.

So far, no arrests have been made or charges have been filed as part of the investigation.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza made it clear that the investigation was still in its early stages and that many more interviews have yet to be done, including Mr. Baldwin, with whom he claimed. to collaborate authorities.

The sheriff told reporters that there were up to 100 people on the set of the western movie, called Rust, when the shooting took place, and that everyone would be questioned.

“I think the facts are clear: a weapon was handed over to Mr. Baldwin. The weapon is functional and fired a live bullet killing Ms. Hutchins and wounding Mr. Souza,” he said.

The sheriff added that a “lead bullet” was recovered from Mr. Souza’s shoulder and handed over as evidence, as were the weapon, which was fired by Mr. Baldwin, and the shells.

He said other live bullets may have been on the Rust set, but they have yet to be tested in a crime lab.

Of the 500 bullets recovered, there was “a mix of blank cartridges, dummy bullets and what we suspect are real bullets,” Sheriff Mendoza said.

“Right now we will determine how they got there, why they were there, why they shouldn’t have been there,” he added.

He confirmed that two other people handled the gun before it was given to Baldwin: gunsmith Hannah Gutierrez Reed and assistant director of the film Dave Halls.

Court records state that Mr. Halls would have called “cold pistol” as he handed over the weapon, meaning he had no live ammunition. Documents said he didn’t know there were live bullets in the firearm.

The three firearms seized by the authorities include the pistol used in the fatal shooting, as well as a weapon that the sheriff said appeared to have been modified and a non-working plastic revolver.

When asked whether anyone could face criminal charges, Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies said it was too early to tell, but “all options are on the table at this point … I don’t make rash decisions and I do. do not rush to judge “.

Ms. Carmack-Altwies told reporters there is no precedent in New Mexico for this type of case. “It’s a complex case, it will require a lot of legal research, analysis and review,” he said.