Death on a Movie Set: Ex-Prosecutors, Attorneys React to Alec Baldwin’s Shocking Prop Gun Shooting Accident

MSN News ^ | October 21, 2021 | Aaron Keller

[Navy Patriot]

A deadly shooting on the set of the Alec Baldwin film “Rust” in Santa Fe County, New Mexico, has resulted in a debate among legal minds about the possibility and likelihood of litigation — even as many of the facts of the matter remain shrouded as of the time of this writing.

It remains officially unclear how a prop gun — generally outfitted with blanks — was discharged by Baldwin on a movie set. The gunshot managed to kill cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, 42, and injure director Joel Souza, 48. The accident happened at the Bonanza Creek Ranch, a stereotypical western film set used frequently by production crews on the southern outskirts of Santa Fe.

...

However, the New York Post, citing Indie Wire, said that a union which represented prop masters learned that a “live round” was fired. The union said its members were not on set and that local “New Mexico crew members” were, according to the reports.

[Navy Patriot]

Couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

[frogjerk]

Unfortunately a woman, who was a mother and wife was killed in a needless act of carelessness on what seems to be many people’s parts

[Col Frank Slade]

How did the live round get in the gun and who put it there ?

[Lurker]

Agreed. Baldwin is finished. He’s going to be sued out of existence.

L

[bhl]

Why would Baldwin even point a gun at anyone that wasn’t an actor?

[kiryandil]

I'm not letting the loud-mouthed POS off the hook.

Alec Baldwin's prop gun and Teddy Kennedy's Olds have killed more people than my guns.

[Persevero]

I am wondering if she was killed by a blank. I have heard they are actually dangerous at close range.

[BuchananBrigadeTrumpFan]

Better ban prop guns.

[PGR88]

Most of those surveyed by Law&Crime on Friday morning (before word that a live bullet was the alleged projectile became public) agreed that a civil negligence case seemed more probable than a criminal case.

The "narrative building" begins.

I very much suspect if any of us were out hunting, teaching a class, doing some firearms demonstration for our business, and the same careless thing happened - DAs would quickly come down hard with at least a 3rd degree murder charge.

Call me cynical, but we are about to see another example of how the law is very UNequally applied in the USA.

[Little Ray]

Yeah. Chain of custody on the ‘prop’ firearm is gonna be important.

[GingisK]

The way things are shaping up, I’d bet money that a union thug set this up. (Baldwin was making the movie with non-union crew members due to a dispute.)

[mmichaels1970]

However, the New York Post, citing Indie Wire, said that a union which represented prop masters learned that a “live round” was fired. The union said its members were not on set and that local “New Mexico crew members” were, according to the reports.

How is this suddenly morphing into some weird "pro-union" thing?

[frogjerk]

If Baldwin wasn't such a total d-bag and a-hole who has on many occasions wished others harmed or dead he may have received some sympathy.

But like a typical scumbag he will turn this around to be about him, write a book, lobby congress, and be on the cover of People magazine.

[fruser1]

Didn’t he and his wife adopt some kids?

Guess he’s been shooting blanks for awhile.

[rktman]

1. There should be NO actual ammo on the set, only blanks.

2. See 1 above.

[Sans-Culotte]

How did the live round get in the gun and who put it there ?

Sounds like a Murder, She Wrote plot.

[Sacajaweau]

Exactly...

[Dr. Sivana]

Why would Baldwin even point a gun at anyone that wasn’t an actor?

If the cinematographer and/or director were trying to place him for a front angle shot, it might have happened. What was he doing with the finger on the trigger? Even blanks can cause damage at close range.

[frogjerk]

How would a blank kill her and injure the person standing behind her?

[Dr. Sivana]

I am wondering if she was killed by a blank. I have heard they are actually dangerous at close range.

Director was wounded with the same shot. That sounds stronger than a blank.