Alec Baldwin Makes First On-Camera Comments Following Shooting On Movie Set

Good Morning America/YouTube

Nearly two weeks have passed since an accidental shooting took the life of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of “Rust” in New Mexico. For the first time since the incident, “Rust” actor and producer Alec Baldwin has spoken on camera.

Over the weekend, Baldwin, who was holding the prop gun that discharged and shot Hutchins and director Joel Souza, stopped to talk to paparazzi after he and his family were pursued during a getaway in Vermont. When asked about the shooting, Baldwin let reporters and photographers know that he isn’t allowed to talk about details of the shooting, but called Hutchins his friend.

“I’m not allowed to make any comments because it’s an ongoing investigation,” Baldwin said. “I’ve been ordered by the Sheriff’s Department in Santa Fe. I can’t answer any questions about the investigation. I can’t.”
Baldwin added, “She was my friend. The day I arrived in Santa Fe to start shooting I took her to dinner with Joel the director.”

Over the course of the 4-minute video, the actor repeated numerous times that he isn’t allowed to talk about the investigation, but welcomed other questions. At one point, Baldwin’s wife got upset with the paparazzi who struggled to remember Hutchins’ name.
“Her name is Halyna,” Hilaria Baldwin said. “If you’re spending this much time waiting for us you should know her name.”
Alec Baldwin also told reporters that he met with Hutchins’ husband and son following her death, but “wouldn’t know how to categorize” how it went.

“The guy is overwhelmed with grief,” Baldwin said. “There are incidental accidents on film sets from time to time, but nothing like this. This is a one in a trillion episode.”

Baldwin made it clear that he is in favor of making movie sets using guns safe and will cooperate in any way he can to protect people’s safety on set.

“I do know that an ongoing effort to limit the use of firearms on film sets is something I’m extremely interested in,” Baldwin said. “But remember, something that I think is important and that is how many bullets have been fired in films and TV shows in the last 75 years? This is America. How many bullets have gone off, nearly all of them without incident.”
“That’s not for me to decide,” Baldwin added. “It’s urgent that you understand I’m not an expert in this field so whatever other people decide is the best way to go in terms of protecting people’s safety on film sets I’m all in favor of and I will cooperate with that in any way that I can.”
Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with all of those involved in this heartbreaking situation.

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