The fatal shooting of Halyna Hutchins by Alec Baldwin on the set of Rust ‘may have been recorded’ as a search warrant has been issued for any footage of the incident.
The Santa Fe Sheriff’s Office is investigating whether or not footage exists of the tragic insident, with Detective Joel Cano saying in an affidavit for a search warrant on Friday that it was ‘to confirm if the incident that took place was or wasn’t recorded.’
Hutchins had been killed, and director Joel Souza was injured, when a prop gun which was handed to Baldwin was ‘discharged’ during an indoor rehearsal scene.
Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Juan Rios confirmed to Deadline: ‘The warrant was executed this afternoon and they are out there right now.’
It comes after court documents revealed that Baldwin was handed the gun by an assistant director who told him it was a ‘cold gun’, meaning it was not loaded with live rounds.
According to Deadline’s report, court papers state that the gun was one of three prepared on a nearby cart by the on-set armorer, and the AD ‘did not know live rounds were in the prop gun.’
Detectives have reportedly taken possession of the prop gun that killed Hutchins as well as the cart the guns were on and other prop ammunition, as well as the costume Baldwin had been wearing at the time.
Baldwin was among those interviewed by police but no charges have been filed.
What is a blank?
A blank is a firearm cartridge that generates a muzzle flash and an explosive sound like any normal gunshot, and the firearm experiences a recoil capable of cycling its action, but without shooting a projectile.
They’re often used on set for shooting simulations that still demand light and sound effects.
Blank cartridges comprised of most parts of real ammunition – the casing (or shell), propellant material (gunpowder) which is inside the casing) and a primer on the bottom of the cartridge – apart from the projectile (or bullet).
Blanks are often made of wads of paper, plastic, felt or cotton, however they are propelled at high velocity and are far from harmless with injuries occuring if there is something in the barrel that comes in contact with the releasing gas of the blank.
Santa Fe Sheriff’s Office are now looking to collect all possible footage, production computer equipment, memory and other digital cards, as well as the phones of the cast and crew which may have captured footage or photos on location.
‘This case is still in its preliminary states of investigation,’ First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies told Deadline.
She added: ‘We are assisting the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office and have offered our full support to them.
‘At this time, we do not know if charges will be filed. We will look into all facts and evidence of the case with great discretion and have further information at a later time. Our thoughts are with all affected by this tragedy.’
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MORE : Alec Baldwin was told gun that killed Halyna Hutchins on Rust set was safe, court records show