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
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
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.
California senator to propose ‘live’ gun ban on movie sets after Alec Baldwin shooting
Alec Baldwin shooting: Santa Fe district attorney says criminal charges are ‘on the table’
Alec Baldwin could still face charges for Rust shooting - ‘He fired the weapon’
Alec Baldwin shooting: Key questions left unanswered after press conference on Rust tragedy
Alec Baldwin shooting: Victims hit by single bullet which killed Halyna Hutchins then lodged in director’s shoulder, say police
Authorities will present their initial findings from Santa Fe, New Mexico, at 10am local time/12pm ET/9am PT/5pm BST.
Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza and District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies are expected to speak, delivering their first detailed public comments about the events that unfolded on 21 October on the set of Rust.
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.
Mr Cortese said his legislation banning “live” ammunition on sets would “prevent this type of senseless violence and loss of life”.
Read more in the story below:
California senator to propose ‘live’ gun ban on film sets after Alec Baldwin shooting
The shooting on the set of Rust sparked a flood of calls to bolster safety measures on movie sets
Here is how you can watch today’s press conference at 10am local time in Santa Fe (12pm ET):
Everything you need to know about Alec Baldwin shooting press conference
Santa Fe County officials will offer their first official update on the Rust set shooting on Wednesday
Investigators hope a forensic analysis of ballistic evidence will shed light on the events of 21 October, but they have said not to expect answers anytime soon.
“We need to be diligent about the investigation so, should there be charges ultimately filed, they are able to uphold those in court,” Juan Rios, spokesman for the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Department, told Reuters.
Interviews are ongoing and detectives may need to talk to as many as 50 people, Rios said.
(Reuters)
Internal investigation launched
The production of Rust has hired a legal team to conduct an internal investigation into the shooting incident.
“In addition to cooperating with authorities, we hired a legal team from Jenner & Block to conduct an investigation of the events,” said a note sent to the film’s cast and crew members, published by Deadline.
The note adds: “We have stressed that they will have full discretion about who to interview and any conclusions they draw.”
Press conference starting soon
Investigators are due to speak in about 15 minutes to provide their initial findings.
Here is how you can follow and watch the press conference:
Everything you need to know about Alec Baldwin shooting press conference
Santa Fe County officials will offer their first official update on the Rust set shooting on Wednesday
New claims
Nicolas Cage had previously complained about the behaviour of Rust armourer Hannah Gutierrez-Reid when they worked together, it is being claimed.
Cage and Gutierrez-Reid worked together on The Old Way, where it has been reported the armourer was also accused of failing to abide by gun safety protocols. It filmed only two months before Rust.
Stu Brumbaugh, a key grip on the movie told The Wrap that Gutierrez-Reid fired a gun near the cast and crew which caused Cage to burst out in anger. Brumbaugh said Cage shouted: “Make an announcement, you just blew my f***ing eardrums out!”
Nicolas Cage stormed off set after Rust armourer’s actions on previous film
Halyna Hutchins was killed on the set of ‘Rust’ after a gun was discharged by Alec Baldwin
Investigators in Santa Fe are preparing to give an update in a news conference:
Charges may be filed
Authorities at the press conference say the investigation is ongoing and charges may be filed at a later date if probable cause is found.
For now, though, they have stressed the importance of allowing the probe to carry on.
District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies and Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza both highlighted how crucial it is to allow those findings to be made.
FBI to inspect evidence
Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza told reporters at a news conference today that interviews have been conducted, search warrants executed, and evidence from the scene has been collected and processed.
A search warrant was issued for any camera footage taken at the scene.
Approximately 500 rounds of ammunition, including blanks, have been collected, as well as three firearms, Mendoza said.
According to Mendoza, authorities believe they have in their possession the firearm that was fired by Alec Baldwin, as well as the spent shell casing from the bullet that was fired from the gun.
Evidence will be sent to the FBI crime lab in Quantico, Virginia, for analysis.