Santa Fe County Sheriff’s deputies and local paramedics responded about 1:50 p.m. MT Thursday, October 21, 2021 to a report that a person was shot on set at the Bonanza Creek Ranch set near Santa Fe, New Mexico.
On arrival, Santa Fe County Sheriff’s deputies discovered two victims wounded at the scene of a production set for the Western film Rust. Director of photography Halyna Hutchins, 42, was transported by helicopter to the University of New Mexico Hospital, where she was pronounced dead, according to the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office.
The second victim was the film’s director, Joel Souza, 48, who was transported by ambulance to Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center, where he was listed in critical condition, according to the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office. The film’s story is by Joel Souza and Alec Baldwin.
Initial assessment of the scene indicates both Hutchins and Souza were wounded when a prop gun was “discharged” by Alec Baldwin, who is an actor and producer in the film Rust.
Initially it was unknown whether Baldwin was working as an actor or a producer at the time of the fatal incident on the film’s set. Early indications are that the incident involves an accident, and no charges have been filed. The Santa Fe Sheriff’s Office is investigating the fatal incident.
According to The Sun, after the fatal incident, Alec Baldwin deleted a photo he had posted on his Instagram that showed him in character with Western-style clothing and a bloodied shirt.
Film star Alec Baldwin fatally shoots woman with prop gun at a wood frame church set of the movie product site for Rust. YouTube Tips ⓘ
Production of the film was immediately halted. Travis Fimmel, Brady Noon, and Frances Fisher joined the cast in September 2021. Jensen Ackles joined the cast in October 2021, and filming began October 2021 in New Mexico.
According to police, something went horribly wrong on a movie set in Santa Fe when actor Alec Baldwin discharged a prop firearm, accidentally killing a crew member and wounding the director. Production has been shut down while police investigate. NBC’s Steve Patterson reports for TODAY. YouTube Tips ⓘ
International Cinematographers Guild Local 600 released a statement saying, “The details are unclear at this moment, but we are working to learn more, and we support a full investigation into this tragic event. This is a terrible loss, and we mourn the passing of a member our Guild’s family. The mission of the International Cinematographers Guild Local 600 states, “To fight effectively for fair wages, sustainable benefits, a safe workplace, respect for craft and retirement with dignity for our members and their families using every tool at our disposal.”
Bonanza Creek Ranch is located about 40 miles northeast of Albuquerque, New Mexico. According to the official website for Bonanza Creek, the ranch “is an all-inclusive film location nestled in the foothills of northern New Mexico. The ranch is spread out over several thousands of acres and features over 2 ponds, one movie town and 2 home sets. More than 130 movies, as well as various videos, commercials and catalog shoots have been filmed” at Bonanza Creek.
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