Witnesses have revealed Halyna Hutchins’s last words in the moments after she was shot by Alec Baldwin on the set of his movie Rust.
Ms Hutchins, director of photography for the Western film, died on 21 October 2021 after Mr Baldwin discharged a firearm while practising a gun-drawing technique on the set in New Mexico.
Seconds after she was struck, Ms Hutchins cried out to a boom operator: “That was no good. That was no good at all,” according to a Los Angeles Times report based on interviews with 14 crew members.
The crew members told how Mr Baldwin’s fatal shot came as he was rehearsing a shootout scene inside a church so the camera crew could set up their angles.
“So, I guess I’m gonna take this out, pull it, and go, ‘Bang!’” Mr Baldwin said as he clutched a Colt .45 revolver, which he believed had been loaded with dummy rounds instead of gunpowder and a projectile.
His words were followed by a bang from the gun as a lead bullet ripped through Ms Hutchins before landing in the shoulder of the film’s director, Joel Souza.
Blood began pouring from Ms Hutchins’ chest as she fell backward into the head electrician and Mr Souza crumpled to the ground clutching his shoulder.
The 42-year-old cinematographer uttered her last words as crew members crowded around her and a boom operator locked eyes, telling her: “Oh, that was no good.”
Mr Baldwin looked on in horror and repeatedly yelled: “What the f*** just happened,” according to the witnesses who spoke to the Los AngelesTimes.
Hours later, Ms Hutchins was pronounced dead at hospital. Mr Souza was treated and released.
More than a year later, following a nearly 15-month-long investigation, the 64-year-old actor will be charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter, New Mexico’s first judicial district attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies announced on Thursday (19 January).
Mr Baldwin’s lawyer said in a statement that they intend to “fight” the charges and “win”.
He is one of three crew and cast members facing charges over the accidental shooting.
First assistant director David Halls has agreed to plead guilty to the charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon.
The film’s armourer Hannah Gutierrez Reed has also been charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter.
Each charge carries a maximum of 18 months in prison.
Follow alonghere for live updates regarding the Rust shooting.
