Typically, when the police are called to the scene of an accident, it’s to a major highway or local road. Very rarely are they called to a movie set. That’s exactly what happened this past week, on October 21, when a Hollywood shooting stunt went awry and a prop gun loaded with live ammunition killed a crew member.
Alec Baldwin is starring in an action movie called “Rust.” The actor and crew were taking several takes of a shot that involved two of the actors getting shot with blanks. Apparently, when a movie crew preps for a shooting scene, they’re supposed to fill the prop gun with blanks. These are bullets that fire off but don’t actually hit anyone. For some reason, the prop person who worked that day didn’t fill the gun with fake bullets.
While filming, Baldwin fired the prop gun as per the script. Two bullets were fired: one hit the cinematographer, Halayna Hutchins, and the other one hit one of the directors, Joel Souza. Both were rushed to the hospital.
Unfortunately, the cinematographer, who was only 48, did not survive her injuries and was declared dead at the hospital. The director was injured but is expected to make a full recovery.
The police and representatives from the International Alliance of Theatrical State Employees Local 600 are investigating the Hollywood shooting stunt. So far, there have been no charges filed against Alec Baldwin. However, the victims may still sue either Baldwin, the union or even the manufacturer of the gun and blank bullets.
If you or your loved ones are hurt while on the job, call an Orange County personal injury lawyer for help.
Source: https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2021-10-21/woman-fatally-shot-by-prop-firearm-on-a-new-mexico-movie-set