Alec Baldwin spoke during the ongoing Rust investigation and asked questions into the camera for the first time since the fateful filming filming by cinematographer Halyne Hutchins.
“I’m not allowed to comment because the case is ongoing,” Baldwin said in a video he obtained TMZ Saturday. “It simply came to my notice then sheriff’s department in Santa Fe. I cannot answer any questions about the investigation. I can not. It is an active investigation into the death of a woman. ”
In the video, Baldwin and his wife Hilaria are seen along the road addressing photographers who accompanied him and his family to Vermont. Although he could not comment on the ongoing investigation, Baldwin said he was cooperating with authorities and “talking to police officers every day”. This is the first time Baldwin has publicly addressed the shooting since publication of a statement about the incident on social media last week.
Baldwin described the Rust team as “a very, very well-oiled film-making team” in New Mexico before “this horrific event happened.” And “sincerely doubts[s]”Film production will continue.
“She was my friend,” Baldwin said Hutchins, who died of a bullet which was emptied from a Colt .45 revolver he used on the shoot. “That day when I arrived in Santa Fe and took her to dinner with Joel [Souza], director. ”
Souza, who was standing behind Hutchins, was injured with the same bullet. Baldwin was told the gun was safe to use; at the time of the incident, he and members of the “Rust” crew believed it was loaded with fake ammunition.
Baldwin also confirmed that he had met Hutchins ’husband Matthew and her son.
“They’re not out of grief,” Baldwin said. “The boy is overwhelmed with grief. Accidental accidents happen occasionally in movie theaters, but nothing like that. This is episode one in a trillion. And so he is in shock. She has a 9-year-old son. We are in constant contact with him because we are very concerned about his family and child. ”
He added: “We are looking forward to the sheriff’s department telling us what their investigation has brought.”
Asked if he would participate in another film involving firearms, Baldwin said he could not answer the question. However, he indicated that he would support any measures deemed necessary to ensure the safety of people at film venues.
“I know I’m constantly striving restrict the use of firearms in film venues it’s something I’m very interested in, ”Baldwin said. “But remember, something that seems important to me: how many bullets have been fired in movies and TV shows in the last 75 years? This is America. How many bullets were fired in movies and on TVs. I don’t know, billions? In the last 75 years? Almost all without incident. ”
“So what needs to happen now,” he continued, “is that we need to be aware that some new action needs to be taken when things go wrong and it’s a terrible, catastrophic thing. Rubber rifles, plastic rifles, no mercury – without the real armor that is on set.It’s not up to me.It’s necessary, you have to understand that I’m not an expert in this field.So whatever others decide is the best way to protect the safety of people in film venues, I’m for this and I will participate in it in any way.