Baldwin Was Rehearsing Scene Pointing Revolver Toward Camera When Gun Went Off: Director

“Rust” director Joel Souza has given the most detailed account yet of how Alec Baldwin fatally shot the film’s cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins, on the set of the film. The new details emerged when the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office released the affidavit used to obtain a search warrant.

According to the affidavit released on Oct. 22, Souza told investigators that Baldwin was rehearsing a scene that involved pointing a revolver toward the camera lens when the gun went off and killed Hutchins. He said the crew had been told the prop gun did not contain live rounds.

The director further told investigators guns used in filming were typically inspected by the film’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, and then checked again by assistant director Dave Halls, who would then hand them to the actors. Souza said that after preparing for the scene, the crew was taken by a shuttle elsewhere to have lunch. He was not sure whether the prop gun was inspected again when they returned to the set.

According to Souza, Baldwin was reportedly sitting in a wooden church pew rehearsing his scene before the shooting incident took place. The director said the scene involved “cross drawing” a revolver and pointing it at the camera lens. Souza said he had been standing beside Hutchins viewing the camera angle when he suddenly saw the cinematographer grabbing her midsection and stumbling backward. He then noticed he was bleeding from his shoulder.

In the said affidavit, Detective Joel Cano wrote, “Joel stated there should never be live rounds whatsoever, near or around the scene.” In an interview a day after the incident, Souza told the detective about dealing with some delays on set as some members of the camera crew had just quit over late pay and safety conditions. Despite that, Souza reportedly told investigators that everyone on the set was “getting along” and that “there had been no altercations” to his knowledge.

In the same affidavit, cameraman Reid Russell, who was standing near Souza and Hutchins when the fatal shooting took place, said he was not sure if the firearm had been inspected before it was handed to Baldwin. He told investigators that after returning to the set from lunch, he stepped outside and returned five minutes later with Baldwin, Hutchins and Souza already setting up the scene. He said Baldwin was already holding the gun when he returned.

Russell also revealed that it was Halls who got the prop gun from a gray tray set up by Gutierrez-Reed. When Halls handed the gun to Baldwin, he shouted, “cold gun,” which meant the firearm was unloaded. According to him, Baldwin was explaining how he was going to draw the gun when it suddenly discharged.

Just like Souza, Russell also said everyone seemed to be getting along on set on the day of the incident. He also said Baldwin had been “very careful” with the firearm, ensuring that a child was not near him when he was discharging it. He said after the gun was discharged, he found Souza “having blood on his person” and Hutchins “speaking and saying she couldn’t feel her legs.”