The news conference by Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza and District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies promises the first detailed public comments by investigators about the killing of 42-year-old Halyna Hutchins during a rehearsal at a New Mexico ranch. YouTube Tips ⓘ
Adan Mendoza, Santa Fe County Sheriff conducted a news conference regarding the shooting of 42-year-old Halyna Hutchins by Alec Baldwin during a rehearsal on the Rust movie set.
Highlighted points
A 9-1-1 call was received at 1:48 p.m.
The first deputy arrived at 2:00 p.m.
EMS arrived at 2:01 p.m.
Sheriff’s deputies determined that Halyna Hutchins and Joel Souza had been shot during a rehearsal of the movie Rust, and it was determined that actor/producer Alec Baldwin fired the weapon.
Sheriff’s investigators identified two other people that handled and inspected the loaded firearm prior to Alec Baldwin firing the gun. They were identified as armor Hanna Reid Guiterez and Assistant Director David Halls. All have been cooperative cooperative.
The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office has conducted interviews, executed search warrants, and collected and processed evidence from the scene.
There were a limited number of movie set staff where the shooting took place, although there were approximately 100 people on set.
Through the execution of search warrants, the sheriff’s office has collected about 600 items of evidence … including but not limited to …
1) three firearms,
2) 500 rounds of ammunition (found on set — a mix of blanks, dummy rounds and live rounds later answered and clarified in Q&A); and
3) clothing and accessories
Sheriff’s investigators believe they possess the firearm that was fired by Alec Baldwin, and the spent shell casing that was fired from the gun.
The actual lead projectile was recovered from shoulder of Mr. Souza by medical personnel. The round is believed to be the round fired by Alec Baldwin. The live round is apparently the same round that killed Halyna Hutchins, but according to Q&A answer the determination is awaiting confirmation from the medical investigator.
The surgically removed round is regarded to be the live round fired from the revolver by Alec Baldwin.
The sheriff’s office believes they have recovered possibly additional live rounds from the set.
All previously mentioned items, plus additional items, will be submitted to FBI Crime Lab in Quantico, Virginia for analysis.
Sheriff Mendoza said it is too early to comment on charges. The investigation will continue, and if investigators determine that a crime has occurred and probable cause exists, then an arrest or arrests will be made and charges will be filed.
Otherwise, the sheriff’s office will be turned over to the District Attorney’s Office for further review.
First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies said she echoes the sentiments of Sheriff Adan Mendoza. In a Question and Answer period Mary Carmack-Altwies said that all options are on the table and that she cannot comment on whether someone will be arrested or not, and that no person has been ruled out at this point.
During Q&A, Sheriff Adan Mendoza answered that investigators are seeking to determine why there were live rounds on the set because the live rounds shouldn’t have been there.
The sheriff’s office is investigating statements about other risky incidents occurring prior to the fatal shooting.
Sheriff Mendoza acknowledge that the sheriff’s office is aware of rumors regarding lax professionalism and drinking of alcoholic beverages the night before the shooting.
According to Sheriff Mendoza, the firearm that was fired by Alec Baldwin (and caused the death of Halyna Hutchins) was an F.LLI Pietta long colt .45 revolver. There was other ammunition in the gun.
The other two weapons recovered from the Rust set were a single-action Army .45 revolver with some cylinder modification to the cylinder to make it nonfunctional, and a plastic non-functioning revolver.
All three of these firearms were located in proximity of the fatal shooting scene.
Sheriff Mendoza said there was no camera footage of the actual incident.
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