Cameraman died
Assistant director, gun master, actor: these are the key characters in the Baldwin case
Alec Baldwin shortly after testifying to the Santa Fe Police Department
© Jim Weber / Santa Fe New Mexican / AP / DPA
On Thursday, actor Alec Baldwin accidentally shot and killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins while filming the western “Rust”. Since then, investigators have been trying to clarify the question: How did the accident come about?
It’s a tragedy that could shake up the film industry for a long time: On Thursday, Alec Baldwin accidentally shot camerawoman Halyna Hutchins on the set of the western “Rust”, and director Joel Souza was seriously injured. A few days after the fatal accident, some questions still remain unanswered. And at least three key figures are emerging.
Alec Baldwin case: three key figures
The first is armorer Hanna Gutierrez-Reed. The 24-year-old is considered inexperienced and had only worked as an armorer for another film before “Rust”. On the day of the fatal accident, she was in charge of the prop weapons and placed three revolvers on a cart. As crew members told the “LA Times”, the security protocols were handled laxly. Many on the set would have been particularly critical of the handling of the pistols. It is interesting that Baldwin’s stunt double accidentally fired two shots with a sharp weapon on October 16. He was also told that the gun was not loaded.
According to the New York Times, six members of the camera team quit because of late payments and poor security. The newspaper refers to the affidavit of the wounded director Joel Souza.
Dave Halls handed the gun to Baldwin
The second key figure is assistant director Dave Halls. It was he who took the revolver from the car and handed it to Baldwin. He is said to have told the star and producer of the film that the gun was “cold”, i.e. unloaded. Just the fact that he gave Baldwin the revolver could determine investigators. Because normally the order is strictly regulated. Not everyone is allowed to hand over weapons.
The third key figure is Alec Baldwin. According to Souza, the actor was sitting on a bench in the church where the next scene was to be shot. He pointed the gun, which he apparently thought was unloaded, at the camera as it fired. The bullet hit Halyna Hutchins in the chest area and Souza was hit in the shoulder.
Civil action possible
Asking guilt in such a tragic accident seems tough. But according to legal experts from the “LA Times”, the production company could face substantial claims for damages in a civil lawsuit. “I would be shocked if there wasn’t a lawsuit against the production company,” lawyer Bryan Sullivan told the newspaper. “You could call Alec Baldwin for leverage, or the armorer, or the main producer, but ultimately they are all employees of the production company and any liability would be borne by the company and its insurance company,” he said.
The offense of negligent homicide is also included, which applies when a person acts lawfully, but his negligence or lack of caution leads to the death of another person.
Sources used: “New York Times” / “LA Times”