Alec Baldwin told the paparazzi that he isn’t authorised to discuss the facts of the shooting on the set of his latest picture, “Rust,” but he did have a few words for the woman who died, cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
Baldwin and his wife Hilaria Baldwin appeared on camera from “Manchester, VT, where he and his family have been sitting low since the fatal incident,” according to a video released on TMZ’s website Saturday.
“I’m not permitted to make any comments since the inquiry is still underway,” Baldwin told the crowd. “The Sheriff’s Department in Santa Fe has given me an order. I am unable to respond to any inquiries about the probe. I’m afraid I can’t.”
Baldwin fired a prop gun on the set of his film, killing Hutchins. She was 42 years old at the time.
Joel Souza, the film’s director, was shot in the shoulder.
“She was my friend,” Baldwin said of Hutchins to the paparazzi. “I went her to dinner with Joel, the director, the day I arrived in Santa Fe to begin shooting.”
Baldwin’s wife tried to interrupt him, but he waved her off by saying, “pardon me,” as he continued, “We were a very very well-oiled group making a picture together and then this dreadful tragedy happened.”
The shooting is being investigated by authorities.
At a joint news conference with the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office and the district attorney’s office on Wednesday, Sheriff Adan Mendoza said Baldwin fired a “suspected live bullet.”
“The facts are clear: Mr. Baldwin was given a weapon,” Mendoza said. “The firearm is operational and fired a live bullet, killing Ms. Hutchins and wounded Mr. Souza,” says the report.
In a four-minute video posted Saturday, Baldwin emphasised that he has been told many times that he is not authorised to speak about the pending inquiry.
He allowed further questions, and Baldwin’s wife became irritated when one of the people who asked couldn’t recall Hutchins’ name.
Hilaria said, “Her name is Halyna.” “You should know her name if you’re spending this much time waiting for us.”
After the event, Baldwin claimed he visited with Hutchins’ husband and her little kid, but he “wouldn’t know how to characterise” how the conversation went.
Baldwin described the man as “overwhelmed with grief.” “On set, there are sometimes unintentional incidents, but nothing like this. This is a one-in-a-billion chance occurrence.”
Hutchins’ husband and kid, who are “in shock,” are in “daily touch” with the actor, who is also producing “Rust.”
“We’re looking forward to the Sheriff’s Department informing us of the results of their inquiry,” Baldwin added.
He stated he couldn’t say whether he’d ever work on another film set using weaponry like the ones used on the set of “Rust.”
“I do know that I’m very interested in an ongoing push to minimise the use of firearms on film sets,” Baldwin remarked. “However, keep in mind something that I believe is crucial: how many gunshots have been fired in films and television shows during the last 75 years?” This is the United States of America.
How many bullets have been fired, almost all without incident? “Some new steps have to take place in the event of things going wrong and in the aftermath of “this dreadful disastrous catastrophe,” he said, mentioning the potential of deploying rubber or plastic firearms. Baldwin responded, “That is not for me to decide.” “It’s critical that you understand that I’m not an expert in this subject, so whatever other people determine is the best way to proceed in terms of protecting people’s safety on set, I’m all for it, and I’ll help in any way I can.” The Baldwins, who have six children together, declined to explain why they were staying in Vermont and demanded to be removed from the trail.
