Will we ever know the truth about the fatal shooting that targeted cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film Rust in October 2021? Nothing is less sure. American actor Alec Baldwin has said he expects no one to be charged in the fatal shot from a gun he handled while filming the western ‘Rust’. He also indicated that he had hired a private detective to establish responsibilities in this case. At the time, the shooting also injured director Joel Souza. The investigation is still ongoing and prosecutors have not ruled out charging anyone involved.
“I sincerely think (…) (that the investigators will) say it was an accident. It’s tragic, ”said Mr. Baldwin to CNN during a rare interview on the subject broadcast on Friday, explaining that he had used the services of a private detective. While assuring that he did not want to “condemn” the gunsmith Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the actor pointed the finger and also mentioned the assistant director Dave Halls, who had given him the weapon shortly before the shooting . “Someone put a real bullet in the gun, and that someone should have used their judgment,” wonders the main interested party.
“I’m not here to say I want them to go to jail or have their lives be hell. I don’t want that, but I want everyone to know that it’s the two people who are responsible for what happened,” he concluded.
The FBI released findings on the crash
In the report of the federal office, it is established that none of the tests carried out made it possible to envisage a shooting without pressure having been exerted on the trigger. This part of the firearm allows the firing thanks to a pressure of the index finger. Observations that go against the testimony given by Alec Baldwin. As Le Point recalls, last December, the actor explained on television “not having pulled the trigger”. And to add, “I will never point a gun at someone and pull the trigger, ever”.
According to the various American media, the ballistic report of the FBI should lead the authorities of New Mexico, responsible for carrying out the investigation, to classify the death of Halyna Hutchins as an “accident”.
A complaint against the film’s ammunition supplier
Alec Baldwin, who is the subject of several civil complaints, including one filed by the family of Halyna Hutchins, has always said that he was assured that his weapon was harmless and claims that he never pulled the trigger at the time. of the fatal gunshot.
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed filed a complaint against the film’s ammunition supplier, accusing it of leaving live ammunition among the cartridges of blanks. On Thursday, his attorney criticized the FBI for failing to conduct DNA or fingerprint tests to establish who handled the recovered live ammunition. Following Alec Baldwin’s last interview, lawyers for Gutierrez-Reed and Halls told CNN the actor is trying to clear himself of any responsibility.