Alec Baldwin shooting: Actor’s daughter defends father as sheriff confirms no-one cleared in probe

Details emerge of events that unfolded on ‘Rust’ set

Alec Baldwin: Police don’t rule out criminal charges for actor after Rust shooting

Criminal charges could still be filed in the probe into Halya Hutchin’s death, US police have said. The focus of the investigation is on how live ammunition came to be on the set of the movie project where the fatal incident took place.

District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies said that “all options are on the table” and that “no one has been ruled out” of potential charges.

Police made the announcement at a news conference in Santa Fe, New Mexico on Wednesday, six days after the movie-set shooting that left the 42-year-old cinematographer dead.

Investigators said that a “lead projectile” was removed from the shoulder of director Joel Souza and that it appeared to be a live round. Actor Alec Baldwin fired the gun that killed cinematographer Halya Hutchin’s on the set of their film Rust.

Santa Fe sheriff Adan Mendoza has said that officers are “not exactly sure of [Baldwin’s] present whereabouts”, although the actor is said to be cooperating with authorities and had not been instructed to remain in New Mexico.

Mr Bladwin has since been sighted in Vermont with family.

Key Points

• Details emerge of events that unfolded on Rust set
• Halyna Hutchins and director Joel Souza were hit by the same bullet, say police
• Santa Fe County DA says she was ‘completely astonished’ when she heard of Rust shooting
• Santa Fe County sheriff’s office recovered 500 rounds of ammunition from the set of Rust
• Ireland Baldwin supports dad Alec amid investigation
• How and why was there live ammunition on set?

[28 October 2021 19:00 · Oliver O'Connell]

Lawmaker calls for ban on 'live’ guns on movie sets

A California lawmaker says he will propose a “live” gun ban on movie sets after the fatal shooting on the set of Rust.

David Cortese, a Democratic state senator for Silicon Valley, announced his plan two days after Alec Baldwin fired a prop gun on the set of his forthcoming film Rust, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza.

[28 October 2021 19:50 · Oliver O'Connell]

Who brought live rounds to set is investigation focus, says sheriff

The investigation into the fatal shooting incident on the set of Alec Baldwin’s latest movie project is focused on who brought live ammunition to the location, according to the local sheriff.

In an appearance on NBC’S Today show, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said that one of the principal lines of inquiry was how and why the live rounds came to be on the set.

It is believed that the production of the upcoming movie Rust did not require the use of real ammunition.

“I think during the interviews, the focus of the investigation is how the live rounds got there, who brought them there and why they were there,” said Sheriff Mendoza.

“As far as if it’s going to rise to the point of negligence or the point of criminal charges, we’re hoping to work with the district attorney in reference to that so it’s a clear determination if charges should be filed,” he added.

[28 October 2021 20:43 · Oliver O'Connell]

‘There should never be a thought that there’s a live round in there'

Weapons armorer Bryan W Carpenter told Fox News that when using reproduction period guns from the Western era, no modification is required to fire blanks.

“The guns from the 1800s are all mechanically operated. Meaning you have to do something each time to make the cylinder rotate and the gun fire. In the case of Alec Baldwin’s gun that he used on this set… you would have to physically cock the hammer back with your thumb each time you wanted it to fire and then pull the trigger. Then cock the hammer back and then pull the trigger each time. It’s done manually.”

He added:

“Now they said that one of those guns on the table that they recovered may have been the same gun modified. My best guess is they just had one that was a true replica, like a prop gun, one made out of metal, and one made out of all plastic.”

Mr Carpenter said there was “some complacency” on set regarding how weapons were handled and he was stunned at reports that live rounds were mixed with dummies and blanks.

He added that firearms on set need to be locked away and watched at all times and no one is allowed to touch them for any reason other than when they are used in filming.

Mr Carpenter stressed the importance of safety checks:

“There should never be a thought that there’s a live round in there. When you’re checking for blank rounds, you’re always looking for the possibility of anything else being there. You lock the weapons in the safe when they’re not in use and they must stay there. Those guns cannot be used for anything else. Everything is separated. Every time that lock is open, you check and check again. And at a minimum, two people should be present to verify that the weapon is in the condition that you say it is.”

[28 October 2021 21:25 · Oliver O'Connell]

How and why was there live ammunition on set?

The investigation into the fatal shooting incident on the set of Alec Baldwin’s latest movie project is focused on who brought live ammunition to the location, according to the local sheriff.

In an appearance on NBC’S Today show, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said that one of the principal lines of inquiry was how and why the live rounds came to be on the set.

[28 October 2021 22:00 · Oliver O'Connell]

Voices: Trump Jr and others have forgotten Alec Baldwin’s basic humanity

[28 October 2021 22:42 · Nathan Place]

Ireland Baldwin defends father against ‘abhorrent’ comments

Ireland Baldwin has continued to defend her father, Alec Baldwin, following the fatal Rust shooting that led to cinematographer Halyna Hutchins’ death.

On Wednesday, the 26-year-old model posted a screenshot of a positive comment about the 30 Rock actor on her Instagram.

“Amongst some of the most abhorrent and threatening comments, emails, text messages, and voicemails I’ve been getting... this beautiful comment stands alone,” Ms Baldwin wrote. “I know my dad, you simply don’t. I love you, Dad.”

Read more here:

[28 October 2021 23:30 · Nathan Place]

Michael Cohen lashes out at Donald Trump Jr over Baldwin T-shirts

Michael Cohen, Donald Trump’s former lawyer-turned-whistleblower, has blasted the former president’s eldest son for selling T-shirts mocking the Rust tragedy.

“I have seen Donald Trump Jr do some really stupid things,” Mr Cohen tweeted. “This, however, goes way beyond anything I have ever witnessed him do before.”