A terrible accident happened on the set of the western "Rust". Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, 42, was fatally injured after actor and producer Alec Baldwin fired a prop gun. Director Joel Souza was also injured in the incident, which commemorates the death of actor Brandon Lee. Lee's sister, Shannon, took to Twitter to comment.
Family at heart
In an account in which Lee commemorated her late brother, the actress and daughter of martial arts legend Bruce Lee wrote: "Our hearts go out to Halyna Hutchins' family, to Joel Souza and to all involved in the incident at 'Rust'. No one should ever be killed by a gun on a movie set."
Brandon Lee died in March 1993 while filming the film "The Crow". Bullets that were improperly rendered innocuous were used in production. A fragment of a bullet got caught in the barrel of the gun, apparently unnoticed. Later, when actor Michael Massee fired blanks at Lee during filming, the pressure ejected the fragment in Lee's direction. Lee was hit and died in a hospital a few hours later.
What happened on Rust?
Santa Fe County, New Mexico Police Department has confirmed a fatal incident occurred on the film's set. In a statement from the production company, which was published by the industry portal "Deadline", among other things, it is confirmed that Baldwin fired a prop gun. Hutchins was flown by helicopter to the University of New Mexico Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Fans and friends say goodbye to the camerawoman.
Director Souza was rushed by ambulance to Christ St. Vincent Regional Medical Center in Santa Fe, where he was treated for injuries sustained. So far, no charges have been filed after the incident and the matter is still under investigation. It is unclear exactly how the camerawoman died. Filming has been suspended for the time being.
