Authorities have confirmed earlier allegations that the revolver fired by Alec Baldwin did contain a live bullet, as the inquiry into the unintentional shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of Rust continues. The ballistic tests determined that a lead projectile was discharged from the rifle and was recovered from the shoulder of director Joel Souza, who was wounded by the same bullet that killed Hutchins, according to Santa Fe County Sheriff Adam Mendoza at a press conference on Wednesday.
Mendoza also chastised filmmakers for failing to follow safety protocols on the Rust set, which has been widely covered since the shoot. Reuters reports:
“I think the business has had a record of being safe recently,” the sheriff stated when asked about the usage of real guns on a movie set. On this set, I believe there was a sense of complacency. And I believe there are some safety concerns that the sector, as well as the state of New Mexico, should address.”
According to Deadline, the sheriff’s office isn’t ruling anyone out “at this moment” in terms of possible charges. They believe it’s too early in the inquiry to comment on that portion of the narrative, though.
The investigation will continue, and if the Sheriff’s Office concludes that a crime has been committed and that reasonable cause exists, an arrest will be made and charges will be filed,” Mendoza said.
While Mendoza’s words sound ominous, legal experts say Baldwin, despite being the one who fired the gun, is the least likely to face charges. Hannah Reed-Gutierrez, an armorer, and Assistant Director David Halls, who were both in charge of firearm safety on set, are in a more hazardous situation. Mendoza, on the other hand, indicated in his statements on Wednesday that Reed-Gutierrez and Halls, as well as Baldwin, had been fully participating with the investigation.
